title: Knowledge and perceptions of asthma in Zambia: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zambia is currently experiencing an epidemiological transition, from communicable to non-communicable diseases. The annual rate of physician-diagnosed asthma is estimated at 3 %. However, the general public's knowledge of asthma symptoms and signs, and their perception of asthma remain unknown. A survey was conducted aiming to determine knowledge and perceptions of asthma among Zambians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults and adolescents attending four clinics in the capital, Lusaka, were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire from July 2011 to March 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 1,540 participants (mean age 30.7 years, 65% female) were collected. Most patients (74%) were living in low-cost housing. One hundred and sixteen (7.6%) participants reported either a medical diagnosis of asthma or currently taking asthma medications. The most frequent asthma symptoms reported were wheezing (88%), and waking up at night with either shortness of breath (85%), chest tightness (85%), or cough (67%). Medications used to treat asthma were mostly oral short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) (59%), inhaled SABA (30.2%) and antibiotics (29.8%). Inhaled steroids were only used by 16.4% while less than 1% were on long-acting beta-agonists (LABA). Many misconceptions were identified among the entire surveyed population with only 54.7% believing hospitalisations are not preventable, 54.7% believing asthma symptoms can be prevented with the right medications and 37% believing inhalers are addictive. Nearly 60% thought that people with asthma cannot exercise or play hard. Significantly more individuals with asthma compared to those without thought tablets are better than inhalers for the treatment of asthma (46% vs 30%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that knowledge on asthma is poor in Zambia, where there remains many misconceptions on asthma and its management.
authors.affiliation: Pendleton Family Practice, P.O. Box 38049, Lusaka, Zambia. emiliajumbemarsden@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jumbe Marsden
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University Teaching Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Somwe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wa Somwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University Teaching Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Chishala
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chabala
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario de la Princesa (IISP), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Joan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Soriano
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, CIBERES, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cesar Picado
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Vallès
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IP), Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anchochea
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004417:Dyspnea; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D015024:Zambia
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents