Assessment of Northern Jordanian adolescents' knowledge and attitudes towards asthma
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence & Practice    

Assessment of Northern Jordanian adolescents' knowledge and attitudes towards asthma

Abdullah Alkhawaldeh Assistant professor, Jerash University, Jordan
Mohammed ALBashtawy Associate professor, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan
Omar Al Omari Associate professor, Jerash University, Jordan
Dianne Wynaden Professor of mental health, Curtin University, Australia
Fadwa Alhalaiqa Assistant professor, Philadelphia University, Jordan
Shereen Hamadneh Assistant professor, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan
Khalid Aljohani Assistant professor, Taibah University, Jordan
Khetam Al-Awamreh Assistant professor, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan
Moawiah Khatatbeh Assistant professor, Yarmouk University, Jordan
Background

Asthma is a chronic illness of the airways that can cause a persistent cough. The illness affects a significant population of young people worldwide and can affect their ongoing quality of life.

Aim

To explore Jordanian adolescents' knowledge and attitudes to asthma.

Method

A cross-sectional research design was used with a convenience sample of 302 adolescents from six schools in northern Jordan, who completed a self-reported knowledge and attitude survey.

Results

Although the adolescents had an adequate knowledge level about asthma, several areas of knowledge deficit were identified and some negative attitudes were demonstrated. No significant association was found between adolescents' level of knowledge and their attitudes to adolescents with asthma.

Conclusion

Jordanian adolescents need more educational programmes about living with life-changing chronic illnesses such as asthma, and about how the knowledge and positive attitudes of peer groups can normalise the illness for the affected person, enhancing their quality of life.

Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2017.e858

Correspondence

dr-abd@jpu.edu.jo

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Received: 22 September 2016

Accepted: 23 January 2017

Published online: 27 June 2017

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