HOME CIRCUMSTANCES AND ASTHMA CONTROL IN JOHANNESBURG CHILDREN

Background: The goal of asthma management is to attain optimal control of symptoms with minimal treatmentrelated side effects. Several factors contribute to poor asthma control: such as poor adherence to medications, or inappropriate inhaler technique, in addition to home circumstances that trigger asthma attacks. Objective: To determine the level of asthma control and any home circumstances that may contribute toward poor asthma control in children seen at the Asthma and Allergy clinic at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted in 115 asthmatic children, aged between 5 and 18 years, from July to October 2012. Children >12 years filled in the asthma control test, while those 19). None of the home circumstances were found to be associated with poor asthma control. Good adherence to medications was found to be associated with good asthma control; however good inhaler technique did not contribute to the overall level of control. Conclusion: Taking the time to educate our asthma patients about the importance of adherence to medications is the most effective measure to achieve optimal asthma control. Home circumstances did not contribute to the overall level of asthma control.