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Development and feasibility study of a Culturally Tailored Asthma intervention using a mixed-method approach at the primary school level in Malaysia: Challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic

Ramdzan SN 1 , Khoo EM 2 , Cunningham S 3 , Nathan JJ 4 , Sukri N 5 , Pinnock H 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 MBBS, MFamMed, PhD, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Email: sitinurkamilla@um.edu.my
  • 2 MBBS, FBSCH, MRCGP, MD, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • 3 MBChB, MCRP, PhD, NIHR Global Health Research Unit of Respiratory Health (RESPIRE), Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 4 BSc, MSc, PhD, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • 5 MMedSc, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • 6 MBChB, MRCGP, MD, NIHR Global Health Research Unit of Respiratory Health (RESPIRE), Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Malays Fam Physician, 2025;20:5.
PMID: 39949647 DOI: 10.51866/oa.675

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization recommends incorporating asthma programmes into national school health services, although this recommendation is rarely implemented.

METHODS: In Malaysia, we developed a multi-level primary school asthma programme incorporating educational sessions for children with asthma and their parents, raising awareness within the whole school community and training school staff to provide first-aid asthma management. The programme was adapted for delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a mixed-method feasibility study was conducted in October 2020.

RESULTS: We identified 34 children with asthma, who comprised 3.7% of the school population. Only 14/34 (41.2%) children with asthma and 4/14 (28.5%) of their parents attended the remote sessions. The in-person session for school staff was attended by 55/62 (88.7%), among whom 86.0% rated the session as good/excellent.

CONCLUSION: The school-based intervention was feasible and received good feedback, despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing remote delivery. Stakeholder engagement is essential in the development and feasibility of a school-based asthma programme.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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