title: Acute asthma management in children: knowledge of the topic among health professionals at teaching hospitals in the city of Recife, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge of acute asthma management in children is a subject that has rarely been explored. The objective of this study was to assess the level of such knowledge among health professionals in the city of Recife, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional survey involving 27 pediatricians and 7 nurses, all with at least two years of professional experience, at two large pediatric teaching hospitals in Recife. The participants completed a self-administered multiple-choice questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pediatricians and nurses all possessed insufficient knowledge regarding the use of metered dose inhalers, nebulization, and types/doses of medications, as well as techniques for decontamination and disinfection of the equipment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insufficient knowledge of acute asthma management in children can lead to less effective treatment in hospitals such as those evaluated here. Educational programs should be developed in order to minimize this problem.
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira - IMIP, Professor Fernando Figueira Institute of Comprehensive Medicine - Recife, Brazil. murilobritto@ig.com.br
authors: Giovanna Menezes de Medeiros
authors: GM
authors: Lustosa
authors: Murilo Carlos Amorim de
authors: MC
authors: Britto
authors: Patrícia Gomes de Matos
authors: PG
authors: Bezerra
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires