Impact of Asthma Day Camp on Quality of Life of the Asthmatic Children and Asthma Knowledge of the Par ents

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the quality of life of asthmatic children and asthma knowledge of the parents before and after participation in the Asthma Day Camp.

Methods: This study was a quasi experimental study. The study population consisted of 25 asthmatic children from 5 to 12 years old, who participated in the Asthma Day Camp at BMA General Hospital together with their parents. The validated Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ, Thai version) was used to evaluate quality of life of the asthmatic children before and 6 weeks after participation in the Asthma Day Camp. Asthma knowledge of the parents was also evaluated by The Asthma General Knowledge Questionnaire for Adults (AGKQA, Thai version) before and after participation in the Asthma Day Camp.

Results: The asthmatic children were male in 72.0% and female in 18.0%, with a median age of 9 years. After participation in the Asthma Day Camp, the parents had significantly better knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, medication, severity assessment and symptoms management. At 6 weeks after participation, quality of life of the asthmatic children was significantly improved in all aspects including less activity limitation, less symptoms, and alleviated emotional function.

Conclusion: The Asthma Day Camp was a positive tool in asthma management particularly to provide knowledge to the parents and to improve quality of life of the asthmatic children.

Keywords: asthma day camp, quality of life, asthma knowledge, asthmatic children