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Asthma medication knowledge not linked to caregiver socioeconomic status

BALTIMORE — Caregiver knowledge and confidence in asthma management was not influenced by socioeconomic status, with poor medication knowledge commonly reported, according to survey data presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting.

“Regardless of socioeconomic status, our study demonstrated confusion surrounding the difference between controller and quick-relief inhaler medications and when to use each,” Stacie J. Lampkin, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at D’Youville College School of Pharmacy, told Infectious Diseases in Children.

Stacie J. Lampkin

From 2012 to 2015, Lampkin and colleagues conducted a survey at two allergy clinics to assess the relationship between asthma knowledge and socioeconomic status. One hundred sixty surveys were completed by the primary caregivers of children with asthma, aged 2 to 17 years.

Fifty-eight percent of participants reported their primary insurance coverage as Medicaid; 42% had commercial plans. More participants in the commercial group reported having at least a college degree compared with caregivers in the Medicaid group (74% vs. 31%).

Using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria, 23% of those with Medicaid reported that their child’s asthma was well-controlled vs. 53% of those with commercial insurance.

Both groups showed similar confidence on when to give asthma medication, how to use a spacer, and when their child was having an asthma attack. When asked which medication is needed for wheezing, no substantial difference was found between groups in indicating they chose to use a controller medication. However, when asked which controller their child used, more Medicaid-insured caregivers did not identify the rescue medication accurately (51% vs. 28%; P = .004).

Nine percent of participants with Medicaid vs. 13% with commercial insurance reported that they would stop giving the controller medication when their child was well. Within the Medicaid group, 8% of caregivers did not know when to give a controller medicine, compared with 12% with commercial insurance.

Overall, socioeconomic status did not influence the confidence and knowledge of the primary caregiver, the investigators wrote.

“[Medication confusion] could impact asthma control and frequency of health care interventions,” Lampkin said, “thus demonstrating the need for widespread initiatives to target simple ways to help patients understand the difference between prescribed medications.” – by Alaina Tedesco 

Reference:

Lampkin SJ, et al. Abstract 3881.723. Presented at: Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting; April 30-May 3, 2016; Baltimore.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.