Educational Intervention to Promote Parent/Caregiver Self-Efficacy in the Management and Control of Childhood Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization and morbidity, necessitating the development of educational interventions for its management and control.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in promoting parent/caregiver self-efficacy in the management and control of their children's asthma.

Methods: A clinical trial was conducted in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, involving two randomized groups of parents/caregivers of children: the comparison group (CG) (n = 42) and the intervention group (IG) (n = 42). Data collection took place in two phases: the first included face-to-face sessions followed by the educational intervention in the IG, and the second included telephone follow-up. The educational intervention included the use of an educational booklet and a brief motivational interview.

Results: The groups were homogeneous at baseline. After the intervention, the mean self-efficacy scores of the IG were significantly higher than those of the CG (p < 0.05), and children whose parents/caregivers were in the CG were 1.43 times more likely to experience an asthma crisis than those in the IG.

Conclusions: The educational intervention proved effective in increasing parent/caregiver self-efficacy in asthma management and control. Furthermore, children whose parents/caregivers did not receive the educational intervention were more likely to experience an asthma crisis.

Keywords: Asthma; Child; Clinical trial; Parents; Self-efficacy.