Title
Asthma beliefs among mothers and children from different ethnic origins living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Author
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
van Dellen, Q.M.
van Aalderen, W.M.C.
Bindels, P.J.E.
Öry, F.G.
Bruil, J.
Stronks, K.
Wennink, J.M.B.
Wolf, B.H.M.
Mahdi, U.
Nagelkerke, A.F.
van der Veer, E.M.A.
Westra, M.
Publication year
2008
Abstract
Background. Doctors and patients hold varying beliefs concerning illness and treatment. Patients' and families' explanatory models (EMs) vary according to personality and sociocultural factors. In a multi-ethnic society, it is becoming increasingly significant that doctors understand the different beliefs of their patients in order to improve patient/doctor communication as well as patient adherence to treatment. Methods. Twelve focus groups were formed, consisting of 40 children diagnosed with asthma, as well as 28 mothers of these children. These groups included mothers and children of different ethnicities who were living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In order to understand the beliefs that both mothers and children hold regarding asthma and its treatment, the explanatory models were analysed and compared. Results. Study findings show that mothers and children, regardless of ethnicity and age, have their own EMs. Overall, there is a great deal of uncertainty related to the causes, consequences, problems, and symptoms of asthma and its treatment. It also seems that many concerns and feelings of discomfort are the result of lack of knowledge. For instance, the fact that asthma is not seen as a chronic disease requiring daily intake of an inhaled corticosteroid, but rather as an acute phenomenon triggered by various factors, may be very relevant for clinical practice. This particular belief might suggest an explanation for non-adherent behaviour. Conclusion. A thorough understanding of the mothers' and children's beliefs regarding the illness and its treatment is an important aspect in the management of asthma. Gaining an understanding of these beliefs will provide a foundation for a solid clinician-patient/family partnership in asthma care. Although ethnic differences were observed, the similarities between the mothers' and children's beliefs in this multi-ethnic population were striking. In particular, a common belief is that asthma is considered an acute rather than a chronic condition. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about the course and the self-management of asthma. Health care providers should be aware of these commonly held beliefs, and this information could be shared in educational programs. © 2008 van Dellen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Chemicals / CAS: salbutamol, 18559-94-9
Subject
bronchodilating agent
corticosteroid
salbutamol
addiction
adolescent
adult
article
asthma
child
chronic disease
clinical article
clinical practice
cultural anthropology
disease course
doctor patient relation
ethnic difference
ethnicity
female
growth retardation
health care practice
human
male
mother
Netherlands
patient compliance
patient education
side effect
weight gain
attitude to health
ethnic group
ethnology
information processing
Adolescent
Asthma
Child
Ethnic Groups
Female
Focus Groups
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Mothers
Netherlands
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c9a36e0a-90b2-40fa-9fbb-cdd36e9c25ce
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-8-380
TNO identifier
241301
ISSN
1471-2458
Source
BMC Public Health, 8 (8)
Document type
article