ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF TEACHERS REGARDING CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN RURAL SCHOOL OF MAHARASHTRA , INDIA

Dr Niwrutti Jiwane; Dr Sarita Wadhva

Volume : IV, Issue : VI, June - 2014

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF TEACHERS REGARDING CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN RURAL SCHOOL OF MAHARASHTRA , INDIA

Dr Niwrutti Jiwane, Dr Sarita Wadhva

Abstract :

From the age of five years, children spend up to 30% of their day at school under the care and supervision of teacher acting in loco parentis. Asthma is the commonest chronic medical condition school teachers have to deal with in their pupils, affecting in excess of 10% of children. So, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of teachers about asthma and its triggers, to identify particular areas of limited understanding, and to investigate how teachers feel about managing asthmatic children in school. This study also examined the attitude and practices of school teachers regarding childhood asthma and its management, investigated the level of knowledge and anxiety teachers had about asthma, and teachers opinions about the potential sources of further information about the disease in a rural school, Maharashtra.Methods: The sample comprised of 58 teachers. Information was collected by interview technique, using predesigned and pretested proforma during school hours at suitable timings convenient to them.Results: There were in all 58 teachers out of which 12(20.68%) were males and 46(79.31%) were females. Only 15(25.86%) teachers were <30 years of age.27(25.86%) teachers were teaching primary classes. All the 58 teachers (100%) had heard/read about asthma the main source of information being television for 42(72.41%). Majority of teachers 33(71.74%) perceived that allergic reaction of the respiratory tract is the cause of asthma. Almost all the teachers 54(93.10%) said that difficulty in eathing is the common symptom of asthma Conclusion: Knowledge of school teachers regarding childhood asthma is lacking in certain areas like causal and exacerbating factors. Knowledge regarding management of asthma is poor.Attitude of school teachers regarding childhood asthma is more or less positive and their practices are satisfactory irrespective of their age, gender and teaching cadre.