Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Asthma Food Taboos and its Associated Factors among Asthmatic Patients in Pahang State, Malaysia

Abstract

Misconception and outdated beliefs such as food taboos are commonly practiced among asthmatic patients especially in Asia. It will somehow affect the effectiveness of medical treatment of asthma. The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of practice of asthma food taboos and its associated factors identify factors among asthmatic patients. A cross sectional study was conducted in a primary health care clinic at Bandar Kuantan, Pahang. There were 400 asthmatic patients recruited in this study by convenience sampling method. The questionnaire comprised of 4 parts; socio-demography, knowledge, attitudes and practice towards asthma food taboos. Data was analyzed by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 19. A total of 46% of asthmatic patients were practicing asthma food taboos. Among factors studied, practice of asthma food taboos significant association with ethnicity (p = 0.001), level of education (p = 0.011) and exposure to health publicity (p = 0.045). Results also showed significant association between attitude and practice (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the frequency of asthmatic attack between the practice and non-practice group (p = 0.356). It is concluded that the practice of asthma food taboos among asthmatic patients is high. Education and health publicity seems to be beneficial in promoting changes of practice and attitude of this taboos.