Analysis of current family management style and influencing factors in young children with bronchial asthma

TL;DR

This study examines how families manage asthma in young children and finds that child nutrition and caregiver education significantly affect management styles.

Contribution

The study identifies specific factors influencing asthma family management styles in young children in China.

Findings

Child obesity and low caregiver education are linked to worse asthma management styles.

Child wasting is associated with better asthma management styles.

Family management scores were above average in the studied population.

Abstract

Investigate the current status of family management styles among families of children aged 1–7 years with bronchial asthma and analyze influencing factors to provide a basis for developing intervention strategies.

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered between February and December 2024 to 257 pediatric patients with physician-diagnosed asthma and their primary caregivers at a tertiary care children's hospital in Zhejiang, China. The family management styles of children with asthma and their influencing factors were assessed using a general information questionnaire, the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT, for children aged five and above), the Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK, for children under five), and the Family Management Scale for Children with Asthma.

The Family Management Scale for Children with Asthma scores were (239.30 ± 20.38) points, above average. Univariate analysis revealed that the child's nutritional status and the caregiver's educational level significantly influence asthma management styles (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis found child's wasting was associated with higher FMSCA scores (Beta = 0.16, P < 0.05), indicating better management styles. However, child's obesity was associated with lower scores (Beta = −0.13, P < 0.05), indicating worse management styles. Regarding educational level, caregivers with junior high school education or below were associated with lower scores (Beta = −0.19, P < 0.05) compared to those with junior college qualifications, indicating worse management styles.

The family management style for pediatric asthma patients (children aged 1–7 years) was adaptive and primarily influenced by the child's nutritional status and the caregiver's level of education. Specifically, child's obesity and a caregiver education level of junior high school or below were associated with worse family management styles, whereas child's wasting was linked to better family management styles.