under-use of steroids for children with asthma in southwestern Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate how far corticosteroids and other medications are used for children with asthma visiting the emergency room [ER] for management. The study sample comprised 128 children, who visited the emergency rooms of Assir Central Hospital and Abha Private Hospital and received treatment for their asthma from August 1997 to 31 June 2002. Information about asthmatic patients were collected from records, regarding the previous medicines received prior the emergency visit and the treatment received at emergency room. Only children with age between 1-12 years who were discharged from the emergency rooms were included in this study. The results of the study showed that less than one tenth of the patients were given intravenous steroids, four patients were given oral steroids, while none of them were given intramuscular steroids at the emergency room. Also, more than half of the patients received anti-cough medicine and two thirds were given antibiotics. Therefore, the under-use of steroids and over-use of other medicines for patients with acute asthma were clarified in this study. Specific education programs focusing on the increase of prescription rate and adherence to steroids will improve the overall degree of asthma control