The Effect of Parents’ Perceived Stimulant Factors that Induce Asthma on the Quality of Life of their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Babylon, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes wheezing, dyspnea, and coughing. Asthma symptoms can be increased by a variety of stimulants for each asthma subtype, affecting children's quality of life. Objectives: To assess the quality of life of children with asthma, identify parents' perceived stimulant factors that influence quality of life for asthmatic children, and determine relationships between quality of life, parents' perceived stimulant factors, and demographic data for asthmatic children and their parents. Methods: From October 4, 2023, to July 1, 2024, a descriptive study was done on parents of asthmatic children in Hillah City. A nonprobability purposive sample of 155 parents of school-aged asthmatic children was obtained using a specially designed method for the study. Results: The average age of the children was 8.8±2.1 years. The majority of the children were males from rural areas, and they were diagnosed between 4 and 5 years old. Parents identified weather as the most stimulating factor, followed by infections, irritants, exercise, emotions, obesity, allergens, and some drugs. The study found that the majority of asthmatic children had a decent quality of life, while parents with a a higher perception of stimulant variables have a lower quality of life. Conclusions: A high level of parents' perceived stimulant variables was negatively linked with quality of life among asthmatic children; additionally, residence, monthly income, and age of diagnosis were connected with quality of life.