All issues > Volume 53(3); 2010

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2010;53(3):364-372. Published online March 15, 2010.

Caregivers’adherence factors affecting maintenance treatment in children with well-controlled asthma : A qualitative analysis through in-depth interview

Ic Sun IS Choi¹, Saeng Koo SK Cho², Kyong Suk KS La², Jung Hye JH Byeon², Dae Jin DJ Song³, Young Y Yoo³, Ji Tae JT Choung³

¹nvironmental Research Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Mokpo Hansarang Hospital
²Department of Pediatrics, Mokpo Hansarang Hospital
³Environmental Research Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University

Correspondence Ji Tae JT Choung ,Email: jt42525@korea.ac.kr

Received: November 25, 2009; Revised: December 22, 2009   Accepted: February 8, 2010.

Abstract

Purpose
: Good adherence of caregivers is essential for successful health outcomes in the treatment of childhood asthma. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors contributing to good adherence of maintenance treatment in children with well-controlled asthma.
Methods
: Children with well-controlled asthma being treated with a daily controller for at least 3 months in Korea University Anam Hospital were selected. Their caregivers who had good adherence to maintenance treatment were recruited. Qualitative study through in-depth interviews was conducted with 18 caregivers who agreed to the study.
Results
: The 18 caregivers (mean age, 40.0 years) consisted of 15 mothers, 2 grandmothers, and 1 father. The resulting consensus were identified and grouped into 2 domains: the caregiver/patient aspect with 8 theme factors and the treatment aspect with 4 theme factors. The main theme factors in the caregiver/patient aspect were enabling participation in physical activities and exercise (77.8%), perceptions regarding asthma and the need for long-term treatment (50.0%), and perceived value of the medications outweighing the risk of side effects (38.9%). The main theme factors in the treatment aspect were trust in the physician (77.8%), general satisfaction with the manner and attitude of the physician (77.8%) and verification of the necessity of further treatment by performing tests (38.9%).
Conclusions
: Efforts to improve caregivers’ adherence to the treatment of childhood asthma must include a range of factors related to both caregiver/patient aspects and treatment aspects. Among all of these factors, it may be most important to establish a physician-caregiver partnership.

Keywords :Asthma, Children, Adherence, Caregiver, Interview