A Knowledge of Asthma in School Children: A Survey among Primary School Teachers

MB Bahari, N Md Nur, AF Ab Rahman
Correspondence: M B Bahari, baidi@usm.my

ABSTRACT
A survey was carried out among primary school teachers in the district of Kota Bharu, Malaysia to assess the level of knowledge on asthma and its management. Our findings revealed that primary school teachers were less informed about the management and treatment of asthma. They were relatively more knowledgeable about the causes and symptomatology of asthma. The majority of respondents had misunderstanding regarding the effect of rain, smoking and cold weather on asthma. It is important that teachers should be able to recognise symptoms of an asthmatic attack or take the necessary precautions to avoid such an attack. Many teachers agreed on the need to have an asthma education programme in their teaching curriculum.

Keywords: teachers, primary school, knowledge, asthma, Malaysia
Singapore Med J 2003; 44(3): 131-135