Treatment adherence and factors affecting compliance in pediatric asthma

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in children worldwide. Optimal asthma control relies heavily on adherence to prescribed treatment regimens, yet poor compliance remains a major obstacle. Non-adherence may result in poor symptom control, frequent exacerbations, increased hospitalizations, and reduced quality of life. Understanding the determinants of adherence is critical for improving outcomes in pediatric patients [1–4].
Objective: To evaluate treatment adherence and identify factors affecting compliance among children with bronchial asthma in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months. Children aged 5–15 years with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma for at least six months were enrolled. Data on sociodemographic factors, clinical history, medication adherence (MMAS-8), asthma control (C-ACT), and inhaler technique were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant.
Results: A total of 110 children were enrolled. Good adherence was observed in 38.2%, moderate adherence in 34.5%, and poor adherence in 27.3%. Low parental education, fear of steroid side effects, incorrect inhaler technique, and low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with poor adherence (p < 0.05). Poor adherence was strongly associated with poor asthma control (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Poor treatment adherence is prevalent in pediatric asthma and significantly impacts disease control. Interventions targeting parental education, inhaler technique, and awareness about steroid safety are essential to improve adherence and clinical outcomes [5–10].