What is the Level of Asthma Knowledge in Middle Tennessee School Teachers? What is the Effect of Demographic Factors on Teacher Asthma Knowledge?

Abstract

Background: Asthma represents a potential threat to students when the school nurse or trained personnel are not available. When teachers need to assist asthmatic students, they need to have a sufficient level of knowledge to be effective until medical help arrives. This study used a sample of convenience to examine the level of teacher asthma knowledge for educators in Middle Tennessee and the effects of four demographic factors on their understanding of asthma using a sample of convenience. Methods: Teachers completed a 13-question online survey (n= 218) which evaluated their knowledge of asthma and the effects of demographic factors such as gender, school level taught, teachers’ own asthma status, and educational attainment on knowledge of asthma. Results: Teachers scored positively on the overall assessment of asthma knowledge with a mean score of correctness was 78% (Likert 3.90). This is above the asthma knowledge efficacy threshold set at 70% (Likert 3.50) by an expert panel. In the demographic analysis, only teachers with a history of asthma had demonstrated a higher level of asthma knowledge (M= 4.09) as compared to teachers without asthma (M= 3.87). Other demographic factors such as gender, educational attainment, or school grade taught had no effect on asthma knowledge. Conclusions: Teachers and educators held a level of asthma knowledge which was above the knowledge level threshold (Likert > 3.5). Teachers with a history of asthma held a higher overall knowledge of asthma than non-asthmatic teachers. No other demographic factors yielded a statistically significant effect. It is recommended public school systems regularly evaluate teacher asthma knowledge to ensure teachers are well prepared to assist students in an asthma emergency.