Knowledge of primary school teachers about asthma: a cross-sectional survey in the Umdoni sub-district, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions affecting young children. It is estimated that asthma affects 20% of schoolchildren in South Africa. The school setting represents “home” for most children, and teachers are recognised as in loco parentis. Therefore, it is imperative that primary school teachers have sufficient knowledge of asthma and its management, in order to be able to make rational and safe decisions about the children in their care. This study was undertaken to assess the levels of asthma knowledge and its management among primary school teachers.