Knowledge of inhaler use among medical officers in the management of asthma in children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objectives: Inhaled therapy is the recommended first-line approach for managing childhood asthma, providing superior drug delivery and improved symptom control compared with systemic routes. Effective use of inhalers depends heavily on the correct technique, and medical officers play a key role in educating caregivers and children. However, the level of knowledge of inhaler technique among clinicians in Tanzania remains unclear. This study assessed medical officers’ knowledge of inhaler use in the management of pediatric asthma and examined factors associated with adequate knowledge. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical officers providing care to children with asthma in selected public and private health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire developed from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines and the inhaler device assessment tool. Knowledge was assessed across five critical steps of inhaler technique. Scores ≥4 were classified as adequate knowledge. Results: A total of 175 medical officers participated. Only 25.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge of inhaler use, while 74.9% exhibited inadequate knowledge. In multivariate logistic regression, having a personal or family history of asthma remained the only independent predictor of adequate knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.29–5.8, P = 0.006). Conclusion: Knowledge of inhaler techniques among medical officers in Dar es Salaam is inadequate despite high reported use of inhaled therapies. Regular, structured, hands-on training is urgently needed to improve clinicians’ competence and support effective asthma management in children.