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[Assessment of knowledge in the use of metered dose inhalers in parents of asthmatic school children].

BACKGROUND
The use of metered dose inhaler (MDI) is key in the treatment of asthma; its effectiveness is related to proper technique.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the technique of metered dose inhalers for the parents or guardians of school children with asthma.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, we used a sample of 221 individual caregivers (parent or guardian) of asthmatic children from 5 to 12 years old, who use MDI. We designed a validated questionnaire consisting of 27 items which addressed the handling of inhaler technique. Descriptive statistics was used.


RESULTS
Caregivers were rated as "good technique" in 41 fathers (18.6%), 77 mothers (34.8%) and 9 tutors (4.1%), and with a "regular technique" 32 fathers (14.5%), 48 mothers (21.2%) and 14 guardians (6.3%). Asthmatic children aged 9 were rated as with "good technique" in 24 (10.9%). According to gender, we found a "good technique" in 80 boys (36.2%) and 47 girls (21.3%) and with a "regular technique" in 59 boys (26.7%) and 35 girls (15.8%), P 0.0973, RP 0.9. We found with a "regular technique" mainly those asthmatic children diagnosed at ages between 1 to 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the participants had a good technical qualification; however major mistakes were made at key points in the performance of it.