Perceptions towards childhood asthma and barriers to its management among patients, caregivers and healthcare providers: a qualitative study from Ethiopia.

Background: The management of asthma, which is one of the major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality has been affected by non-adherence to recommended treatment regimens with severe consequences. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore the perceptions of the children with asthma, their caregivers and their healthcare providers towards asthma and barriers to long term childhood asthma management in an institutional setting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was followed for the present study that used individual interviews as a data collection method.

The scourge of substandard and falsified medical products gets worse with COVID-19 pandemic.

Although health professionals, communities, governments and global institutions work closely to halt the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its societal impact, COVID-19 remains a challenge to many countries around the world. In addition to its direct health, economic and social consequences, the pandemic has also resulted in unforeseen consequences in Africa especially in East African countries. COVID-19 might increase the demand and consumption of Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products in three major ways.