Asthmatic children: Parents knowledge is enough?

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of asthma of children9s parents belonging to an asthmatic project in Montes Claros - MG. Methods: A quantitative and cross-sectional descriptive study, in which 56 mothers answered a survey about asthma knowledge. A survey about the knowledge of the disease was used, which is validated. Mothers were interviewed before or after medical appointment with a Pulmonologist belonging to the asthmatic children project. Results: The average age of the mothers was 35 ± 8.6 years. Parents answered correctly 65% of the questions. They recognized the triggering factors the child9s asthma attacks, which were 100% associated to dust, smoke/cigarette, cleaning and flu. 55.3% reported that inhaled corticosteroids is the best medicine to control asthma. However, they answered that the frequent / day salbutamol was associated with disease control (59%). How to stop the medicine, on their own, due to stabilization of symptoms, 61% reported that asthma still controlled. 62.5% reported the use can cause addiction. Conclusion: This study shows the lack of knowledge about asthma by parents of children with asthma, although they receive Pulmonologist guidelines. These findings reinforce the need for educational interventions with parents/families to improve the quality of life for children and better control of the disease.