Problems of children suffering of bronchial asthma in school environment

Introduction. Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory system inflammatory condition lasting throughout the whole life of the patient,
which is currently and important public health problem. The illness may develop at any stage of life, even in infants. The epidemiological badasituation
of bronchial asthma justifies the treatment of the illness as a priority public health issue. The main problem is the growing frequency
of asthma occurrence in children, particularly at school age. Therefore, the number of children hospitalised due to that reason increases.
Bronchial asthma is one of the most frequently occurring chronic respiratory system illnesses in children and youths up to 17 years of age.

Aim of the study. The objective of the paper was the recognition of the problems, the quality of life of children suffering of asthma in school
environment in the opinion of their teachers and educators. Cognition of the knowledge of the teachers regarding problems that may be
encountered by an asthmatic child in school environment and the attitudes of the teachers against those problems, as well as proposals for
solving the problems.

Material and methods. The research covered a group of 113 teachers employed at primary and secondary schools in Bielsko-Biała. An
anonymous questionnaire developed by the authors was used in the research.

Results. Based on the information received from the teachers, it was found out that the teachers were not informed during their education
about the most frequent chronic illnesses they may meet with in children attending school. One third of the teachers did not know whether
in the group of students under their charge there were children suffering of bronchial asthma. Despite the fact, most of the teachers properly
listed the clinical symptoms present in children suffering of asthma and factors resulting in breathlessness. The teachers were afraid that they
would not be able to react properly in the case of breathlessness in a child during school classes. They thought that the children might have
problems with physical effort during physical education classes, participation in school trips, concentration of allergic factors in the school
environment, e.g. biological exhibits or live animals raised at biological laboratories, or dust. The teachers would like to broaden their
knowledge of asthma through better cooperation with a school nurse.

Conclusions.

1. At the stage of preparing teachers to their profession their knowledge shall be broadened with regard to chronic diseases they may meet
with in children attending schools and kindergartens, as a result of the development of modern civilization.

2. The cooperation and flow of information between the teachers and the parents of an ill child must be improved at schools.

3. School nurses, as the persons with medical background, should be encouraged to become coordinators in the care activities with regard
to a child suffering of bronchial asthma.

4. Any elements that may cause allergic reactions, many times being only decorations unnecessary in the education process, must be
removed from classrooms.

5. When organizing school trips, the capabilities of not only healthy but also ill children shall be taken into account if the trips are to be
integration events for the students.