Asthma medication adherence in young people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of social and practical issues associated with asthma medication adherence in young people.
IRAS ID
179919
Contact name
A Frew
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Asthma is a common chronic condition in young people. It is often largely manageable through the use of a range of safe and effective medications, which are often in the form of inhalers. Correct use of these medications can help to prevent acute asthma exacerbations, which can become life-threatening emergencies. However, it is widely recognised that many asthmatics do not use their medications as prescribed by their doctor. Non-adherence to asthma medications is considered a major problem, and is a significant barrier to achieving good disease control in many patients. Poor asthma control is associated not only with an increased risk of life threatening exacerbations, but also with decreased quality of life and increased use of healthcare services. Non-adherence levels are high among adolescents and young adults.
This project aims to explore the social and practical issues associated with adherence to asthma medications among young people. This will be achieved through semi-structured interviews with participants aged between 16 and 25. Potential participants will be recruited from asthma clinics at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital. The content of the interviews will be centered around the participant's beliefs regarding their medication and challenges that they have faced in adhering to their prescribed regimen. Participants will be given the choice of an interview in person, or a telephone or Skype interview at a later date. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted in the outpatient department or at the Clinical Investigation and Research Unit. Interviews will last between 20-45 minutes.
The results of this study will help clinicians identify aspects of asthma self-care that are challenging to young people, and suggest ways in which adherence to medications may be improved.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0019
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion