Perceptions among caregivers and physiotherapists on the importance of chest physiotherapy in asthmatic children attending hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Childhood asthma is one of the commonest chronic respiratory conditions in developed communities. Chest physiotherapy has traditionally been one of the interventions used mainly after an attack and for a relatively short-period on an outpatient basis. The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of physiotherapists and caregivers about the importance of chest physiotheraphy in asthmatic children in Kigali. To achieve this aim the author attempted to identify the perceived benefits of chest physiotherapy for asthmatic children among caregivers; to determine the perception of physiotherapists about the importance of chest physiotherapy for asthmatic children and; to identify the physiotherapists experiences with doctors referrals and the caregivers compliance in the management of asthmatic children.