Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Children with poor asthma control have poor health outcomes. In Malaysia, the Malays have the highest asthma prevalence and poorest control compared to other ethnicities. We aimed to explore Malay children with asthma and their parents’ perceptions on asthma and its control. We conducted focus group discussions (FGD) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Sixteen children and parents (N = 32) participated. The perception of asthma was based on personal experience, cultural and religious beliefs, and there was mismatch between children and parents. Parents perceived mild symptoms as normal, some had poor practices, raising safety concerns as children were dependent on them for self-management. Conflicting religious opinions on inhaler use during Ramadhan caused confusion in practice. Parents perceived a lack of system support towards asthma care and asthma affected quality of life. Urgent intervention is needed to address misconceptions to improve asthma care in children

How young children learn independent asthma self-management: a qualitative study in Malaysia

Objective We aimed to explore the views of Malaysian children with asthma and their parents to enhance understanding of early influences on development of self-management skills. Design This is a qualitative study conducted among children with asthma and their parents. We used purposive sampling and conducted focus groups and interviews using a semi-structured topic guide in the participants’ preferred language. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, entered into NVivo and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Settings We identified children aged 7–12 years with parent-reported, physician-diagnosed asthma from seven suburban primary schools in Malaysia. Focus groups and interviews were conducted either at schools or a health centre. Results Ninety-nine participants (46 caregivers, 53 children) contributed to 24 focus groups and 6 individual interviews. Children mirrored their parents’ management of asthma but, in parallel, learnt and gained confidence to independently self-manage asthma from their own experiences and self-experimentation. Increasing independence was more apparent in children aged 10 years and above. Cultural norms and beliefs influenced children’s independence to self-manage asthma either directly or indirectly through their social network. External influences, for example, support from school and healthcare, also played a role in the transition. Conclusion Children learnt the skills to self manage asthma as early as 7 years old with growing independence from the age of 10 years. Healthcare professionals should use child-centred approach and involve schools to facilitate asthma self-management and support a smooth transition to independent self management

Effect of Acacia honey drink consumed pre and during exercise on glucose metabolism, total antioxidant status, and running performance in the heat

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of Acacia honey drink on glucose metabolism, plasma total antioxidant status, selected physiological parameters and time trial running performance in the heat compared to a commercially-available sports drink. Materials and methods: Ten participants completed two endurance running trials in the heat with either honey drink (H) or sports drink (SPD) ingestion. Honey drink or sports drink was ingested one hour prior to the experimental trials. Participants warmed up for 5 min by running at 50% of their respective VO2max, and subsequently ran at 60% of their respective VO2max for 1hour. This was immediately followed by a 20 min time trial running performance. Participants drank 3 mL.kg body weight-1 of cool honey or sports drink every 20 min during the trials. Blood samples were collected for subsequent biochemical analysis. Results: Plasma glucose, insulin, cortisol, total antioxidant status and running performance were not statistically different between H and SPD trials. These findings indicated that Acacia honey drink and sports drink ingested before and during exercise elicited similar effects on glucose metabolism and endurance running performance. Conclusion: Acacia honey has potential to be used as an alternative ergogenic aid for athletes who train and compete in a hot and humid environment