[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.