Children in the ACT with asthma : are they taking preventer medication according to guidelines?

Aim: To ascertain whether children with asthma in the Australian Capital Territory were taking preventer medications in accordance with National Asthma Council guidelines. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all parents who indicated in a ACT wide survey of school entry children in 2005 that their child had asthma (n=435), or experienced asthma symptoms/took asthma medication (n=501), exploring dose, frequency and mode of delivery of preventer their child was currently taking. Results: Data were available for 256 children (response rate 27%). Of the children with parent-reported asthma (n=435) the response rate was 42%. Eighty-three (32%) children were currently taking preventers; complete medication details were provided for 60 children. A total of 32% of children on preventers were taking doses of preventers not in accordance with guidelines, and 80% of children were taking their medications at frequencies, or using delivery devices, not in accordance with guidelines. Discussion: This study suggests that home medical management of asthma with preventers for children may not be optimal.