Results
Questionnaires were sent by post to the households of the 58 CYP
identified. 20 questionnaires completed by parents, and 14
questionnaires completed by CYP were returned. The median age of CYP was
11 years (range 4 to 18), 39 of 58 were males. A summary of the
responses to each question are presented in table 1 and table 2 (online
supplement)
Parental Questionnaire
The majority of parents 17/20 (85%) were worried about their child
having an asthma attack during the pandemic, with a particular
contributory factor being concerns around access to normal healthcare
services. Indeed, 16/20 (80%) were concerned about accessing to GP
services, 15/20 (75%) were concerned about accessing hospital services
and 14/20 (70%) were concerned about accessing regular prescriptions.
Parents reported that the emotional wellbeing of their child was
impacting asthma symptoms. The main contributory influences affecting
asthma control were social distancing 14/20 (70%), worries about school
work 12/20 (60%), and their child’s anxiety around COVID-19 12/20
(60%).
Parents’ perception of the emotional welling being of their children was
explored in further detail. 14/20 (70%) reported observing feelings of
sadness and irritability in their child, and 16/20 (80%) observed
increased levels of anxiety and lack of concentration. Changes in
physical behaviors reflective of emotional changes were also reported;
low energy 18/20 (90%), restlessness 17/20 (85%) and difficulty in
sleeping 12/20 (60%).
Children’s Questionnaire
The majority of CYP 9/14 (64%) were worried about an asthma attack
during the pandemic. Accessing healthcare during an attack was of
concern with 11/14 (78%) worried about the prospect of a hospital
visit. In contrast to their parents only 4/14 (28%) were concerned
about accessing regular prescriptions.
In common with their parents, CYP reported that their emotional
wellbeing had influenced asthma symptoms. Factors reported to be
impacting symptoms included social distancing 7/14 (50%), and concerns
regarding school work 7/14 (50%). A minority 4/14 (29%) felt that
concerns regarding COVID-19 had influenced their asthma symptoms.
The emotional wellbeing of the CYP was explored in further detail. In
common with their parents the majority of CYP reported feelings of
irritability 11/14 (78%), anxiety 9/14 (64%), and difficulty with
concentration 10/14 (71%). Changes in physical behaviors reflective of
emotional changes were also reported, 9/14 (64%) felt restless, and
7/14 (50%) reported difficulty with sleeping.