Educational Intervention to Promote Parent/Caregiver Self-Efficacy in the Management and Control of Childhood Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial

• Published in: Maternal and child health journal Vol. 28; no. 12; pp. 2115 - 2125
• Main Authors: da Rocha Mendes, Elizamar Regina, Ferreira Lima, Kamila, Araújo Gomes, Ana Lúcia, Silva Joventino Melo, Emanuella, de Almeida, Paulo César, Teixeira Lima, Francisca Elisângela, Moraes de Sabino, Leidiane Minervina, Corrêa da Penha, Jardeliny, Pinheiro Barbosa, Lorena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-12-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Asthma; Caregivers; Childrens health; Clinical trials; Crises; Data collection; Gynecology; Intervention; Maternal and Child Health; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Morbidity; Original Paper; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Population Economics; Public Health; Self-efficacy; Sociology; Clinical trial; Child; Self-efficacy; Parents; Asthma
• ISSN: 1092-7875; 1573-6628; 1573-6628
• DOI: 10.1007/s10995-024-03987-3

Background
Asthma is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization and morbidity, necessitating the development of educational interventions for its management and control.
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in promoting parent/caregiver self-efficacy in the management and control of their children’s asthma.
Methods
A clinical trial was conducted in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, involving two randomized groups of parents/caregivers of children: the comparison group (CG) (
n
 = 42) and the intervention group (IG) (
n
 = 42). Data collection took place in two phases: the first included face-to-face sessions followed by the educational intervention in the IG, and the second included telephone follow-up. The educational intervention included the use of an educational booklet and a brief motivational interview.
Results
The groups were homogeneous at baseline. After the intervention, the mean self-efficacy scores of the IG were significantly higher than those of the CG (
p
 < 0.05), and children whose parents/caregivers were in the CG were 1.43 times more likely to experience an asthma crisis than those in the IG.
Conclusions
The educational intervention proved effective in increasing parent/caregiver self-efficacy in asthma management and control. Furthermore, children whose parents/caregivers did not receive the educational intervention were more likely to experience an asthma crisis.
Significance
What is Already Known on this Subject?
Asthma is a chronic, non-communicable disease that contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. In addition, the crisis of this disease can be prevented if parents/caregivers are able to manage and control their children’s asthma.
What does this Study add?
This randomized clinical trial confirms that the use of an educational intervention consisting of an educational booklet and a brief motivational interview increases parent/caregiver self-efficacy to manage and control childhood asthma, thereby reducing the likelihood of an asthma crisis.