Effects of Nursing Instruction on Asthma Knowledge and Quality of Life in Schoolchildren With Asthma

Abstract

The issue of whether nursing instruction efforts could improve asthma knowledge and quality of life among schoolchildren was investigated using a quasi-experimental design. The key instruments were the Asthmatic Knowledge Questionnaire and the Childhood Asthma Questionnaire-Form B. Asthmatic knowledge increased among children who received instruction from nurses (Mean pre/post = 22.20/31.87, p < .05). These children also experienced significant improvements in their active quality of life (Mean pre/post = 27.53/30.20, p < .05), and decreased distress (Mean pre/post = 24.04/10.86, p < .05) and asthma severity (Mean pre/post = 13.27/8.3, p < .05). This study finds nursing instruction helpful in improving asthma knowledge. However, in terms of quality of life, elevated knowledge has a marked (negative) correlation only with levels of distress and severity. It shows no detectable relationship with active or passive life quality. Therefore, though nursing instruction can improve schoolchildren's knowledge about asthma, the improvement in knowledge only relates to reducing distress and severity and thus improving quality of life. This result can provide guidance for nursing personnel in developing nursing instruction to improve active quality of life in child patients.

Pediatric health-related quality of life questionnaires in clinical trials

“…Other asthma specific questionnaires are the Child Asthma Questionnaire (CAQ) and the six-item Functional Severity of Asthma Scale [24,25 ]. The eight-item Asthma Routines Questionnaire measures role assignment, burden, house cleaning, taking medications, timing of medications, medical visits, filling prescriptions, and personal family growth as a result of the disease [25 ].…”

Is Rural School-Aged Children's Quality of Life Affected by Their Responses to Asthma?

“…Asthma symptoms, activity limitations, and social and emotional functioning can negatively affect the child's quality of life (Peeters, Boersma, & Koopman, 2008; Yang, Chen, Chiang, & Chang, 2005). Guyatt, Juniper, Griffith, Feeny and Ferrie (1997) examined changes in 7- to 17-year old children's asthma symptoms over 3 monthly clinic visits.…”

“…Given the extent of asthma among school-age children, quality of life is a key measure of illness impact (Peeters et al, 2008; Yang et al, 2005). This analysis was undertaken to explore associations between children's responses to asthma (e.g.…”

A preliminary study to evaluate a patient‐centred asthma education programme on parental control of home environment and asthma signs and symptoms in children with moderate‐to‐severe asthma

“…Thus, an important strategy for asthma management is environmental control of asthma triggers (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute [NHLBI] 2007). Studies have shown that self-management and health education programmes based on the recommendations of international or national asthma treatment guidelines improve children's asthma sign/symptoms, increase the level of physical activity and reduce the doses of medications and school absenteeism in Taiwan (Hung et al 2002, Chiang et al 2004, Yang et al 2005. In particular, good control or prevention of single or multiple triggers both outdoors and indoors has been shown to reduce the signs/symptoms of asthma and the number of hospital visits (Almqvist et al 1999, Jones et al 2001, Morgan et al 2004, Eggleston et al 2005.…”