Impact of Educational Intervention on Caregivers’ Knowledge and Techniques of Metered Dose Inhalers for Asthmatic Children

Background: Pediatric asthma is a significant global public health issue, contributing to high rates of hospitalization and frequent absenteeism among children and adolescents. Effective asthma management often relies on the proper use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs), which are crucial for controlling symptoms and preventing exacerbations. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of an educational program on caregivers’ knowledge and practices regarding the use of MDIs and to investigate the association between caregivers’ knowledge and usage of MDIs with certain sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design with a one-group pretest–post-test approach was employed. Forty caregivers were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a multiple-choice questionnaire and a checklist to assess knowledge and practice levels. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage distribution, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square test) with IBM SPSS Statistics software. Results: In the pretest, 16 individuals (63.3%) exhibited inadequate knowledge, whereas in the post-test, 24 individuals (78.3%) demonstrated reasonably adequate knowledge. For practice levels, 14 participants (81.7%) showed inadequate practice in the pretest, whereas 26 caregivers (91.7%) displayed a suitable degree of practice in the post-test. Age and educational level were significantly associated with knowledge, and personal habits were significantly linked to practice. A strong relationship was found between knowledge and practice levels in using MDIs. Conclusion: The study concludes that the educational program is effective in enhancing caregivers’ knowledge and practice in using MDIs. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted educational initiatives to improve asthma management outcomes in pediatric populations.