Knowledge on bronchial asthma among teachers and educators - preliminary results of a pilot study.

UNLABELLED: One of the elements contributing to development of health-promoting behaviors is knowledge transmitted by teachers.

AIM: The aim of the research was to assess the teachers' and educators' knowledge on bronchial asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey consisting of closed multiple choice questions concerning bronchial asthma was conducted among 106 teachers. The questionnaire contained 12 questions selected by competent judges. To verify statistical hypotheses, we used Pearson Chi2 test with Benjamini-Hochberg correction.

RESULTS: 98 respondents knew that bronchial asthma is a disease of allergic etiology. Seventy-two people believed that smoking induces asthma and 63 - that genetic factors predispose to development of the disease. The respondents estimated that the course of asthma is severe in 50% of patients and only 10 people answered that it is such in 5% of patients (which is the right answer). 47 claimed that a person suffering from mild asthma cannot participate in physical education classes, practice sports, or ride a bicycle. 94 respondents were aware that respiratory allergies and allergic rhinitis are risk factors for the development of bronchial asthma. As indicated by 98 respondents, a child with asthma should have inhalators with them and inform the teachers about the disease. Only 30 people estimated correctly the prevalence of bronchial asthma at the level of 5-9%, 2 at the level of 1-2%, the remaining respondents overestimated the prevalence of asthma in the Polish population. Only 42 people reported inhaled corticosteroids as drugs important in the treatment of bronchial asthma. According to 94 people, inhaled steroids caused numerous post-steroid diseases.

CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of teachers about associations between bronchial asthma and allergy is reliable and reflects scientific knowledge. However, teachers feel concern over the presence of a child with asthma in the class. The results of the survey indicate the teachers' anxiety about inhaled steroid therapy and lack of reliable knowledge on inhaled steroids. Yet, the knowledge of organization of asthma treatment among teachers and educators in Poland is relatively reliable.