Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Children with poor asthma control have poor health outcomes. In Malaysia, the Malays have the highest asthma prevalence and poorest control compared to other ethnicities. We aimed to explore Malay children with asthma and their parents’ perceptions on asthma and its control. We conducted focus group...

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Main Authors: Sukri, Nursyuhada, Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla, Liew, Su May, Salim, Hani, Khoo, Ee Ming
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Research 2020
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/1/Perceptions%20of%20childhood%20asthma%20and%20its%20control%20among%20Malays%20in%20Malaysia.pdf
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author Sukri, Nursyuhada
Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla
Liew, Su May
Salim, Hani
Khoo, Ee Ming
author_facet Sukri, Nursyuhada
Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla
Liew, Su May
Salim, Hani
Khoo, Ee Ming
author_sort Sukri, Nursyuhada
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Children with poor asthma control have poor health outcomes. In Malaysia, the Malays have the highest asthma prevalence and poorest control compared to other ethnicities. We aimed to explore Malay children with asthma and their parents’ perceptions on asthma and its control. We conducted focus group discussions (FGD) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Sixteen children and parents (N = 32) participated. The perception of asthma was based on personal experience, cultural and religious beliefs, and there was mismatch between children and parents. Parents perceived mild symptoms as normal, some had poor practices, raising safety concerns as children were dependent on them for self-management. Conflicting religious opinions on inhaler use during Ramadhan caused confusion in practice. Parents perceived a lack of system support towards asthma care and asthma affected quality of life. Urgent intervention is needed to address misconceptions to improve asthma care in children.
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spelling upm-871072022-01-13T07:36:33Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/ Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study Sukri, Nursyuhada Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla Liew, Su May Salim, Hani Khoo, Ee Ming Children with poor asthma control have poor health outcomes. In Malaysia, the Malays have the highest asthma prevalence and poorest control compared to other ethnicities. We aimed to explore Malay children with asthma and their parents’ perceptions on asthma and its control. We conducted focus group discussions (FGD) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Sixteen children and parents (N = 32) participated. The perception of asthma was based on personal experience, cultural and religious beliefs, and there was mismatch between children and parents. Parents perceived mild symptoms as normal, some had poor practices, raising safety concerns as children were dependent on them for self-management. Conflicting religious opinions on inhaler use during Ramadhan caused confusion in practice. Parents perceived a lack of system support towards asthma care and asthma affected quality of life. Urgent intervention is needed to address misconceptions to improve asthma care in children. Nature Research 2020-06 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/1/Perceptions%20of%20childhood%20asthma%20and%20its%20control%20among%20Malays%20in%20Malaysia.pdf Sukri, Nursyuhada and Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla and Liew, Su May and Salim, Hani and Khoo, Ee Ming (2020) Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 30. art. no. 26. pp. 1-8. ISSN 2055-1010 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41533-020-0185-z 10.1038/s41533-020-0185-z
spellingShingle Sukri, Nursyuhada
Ramdzan, Siti Nurkamilla
Liew, Su May
Salim, Hani
Khoo, Ee Ming
Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title_full Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title_short Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study
title_sort perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among malays in malaysia: a qualitative study
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87107/1/Perceptions%20of%20childhood%20asthma%20and%20its%20control%20among%20Malays%20in%20Malaysia.pdf