W-06: Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Adherence to the National Guidelines for Management of Pediatric Asthma

Poster Presenter

Hamad Alyami

Assistant Professor
Najran University
Saudi Arabia

Objectives

To obtain information,perceptions and recommendations from healthcare professionals regarding their knowledge, attitudes and use of the national guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of the acute childhood asthma.

Method

The study consisted of mixed surveys [semi-structured interviews (phase 1) and online (phase 2)] of the health care professionals (HCPs; paediatric doctors, pharmacists and nurses) whom work at hospital and primary care centers in Najran region, Saudi Arabia.

Results

The paediatric doctors interviews afforded that the main barriers to adherence to guidelines are the lack of awareness and resources. In the online surveys, of the 535 health care professionals, 172 surveys were completed. Of these, 48% reported being aware to children asthma guidelines. 42% of the respondents did not follow any paediatric asthma guidelines. More than half of respondents (51.7%) follow the guidelines for the paediatric asthma diagnosis. The most common barrier for adherence to asthma guidelines were lack of awareness (40%), followed by patient non-compliance with clinical management plan, lack of resources, difficult to understand the guidelines and the lack of time (32%), (16%), (7%) and (4%), respectively. Vast majority of respondents (75%) didn’t attend any training courses regarding awareness with asthma diagnosis and management. The study also revealed that dust mites and air pollution were the most popular asthma triggers (38%). due to severe asthma attack. 43% of respondents strongly agreed that a Saudi gene may be responsible for asthma. Most of the participants are not familiar with the number of children were admitted to Hospitals.

Conclusion

The results support that HCPs need education regarding diagnosis and clinical management plans of asthma by attending courses and workshops. Establishment of an asthma care center may improve awareness and identify in depth the asthma diagnosis.