Primary Care Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices in Managing Pediatric Asthma in Kazakhstan: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Aizhan Baituganova, Gulnar Zhaksylykova, Ulbossyn Saltabayeva, Joseph U. Almazan

2026

Full text Open access: Hybrid Metadata (CSL-JSON)
DOI 10.1155/nuf/2816543
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

Background Pediatric bronchial asthma is a prevalent chronic condition that requires effective management at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. Nurses play a pivotal role in bronchial asthma control; however, evidence regarding their knowledge and clinical practices in Kazakhstan is limited. Aim of the Study The study aims to assess the current state of knowledge and practice among Kazakhstani PHC nurses involved in pediatric asthma management. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 518 nurses working in PHC settings across Kazakhstan. Data were collected using a validated and adapted questionnaire based on the Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) and the Asthma Physician Practice Assessment Questionnaire ( APPAQ). Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The average knowledge score was 15.5 ± 2.67 (median = 15; minimum = 6; maximum = 21). According to the categorized knowledge scores, the majority of respondents ( n = 365; 70.5%) showed poor knowledge regarding pediatric asthma management (scores ≤ 16), while 29.5% ( n = 153) had moderate knowledge (scores 17–21). None of the participants met the criteria for a high knowledge level. Key knowledge gaps were identified in symptom recognition, asthma severity assessment, inhaler technique, and preventive care. Despite this, over 70% of nurses reported adherence to several evidence‐based asthma management practices. Multivariable analysis revealed that each one‐point increase in the knowledge score was associated with a 9% increase in the odds of demonstrating good practice (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.003–1.188; p = 0.043). Conclusion This study indicates that improving childhood asthma care in PHC requires strengthening nurses’ knowledge and supporting how care is delivered in everyday practice. Despite the identification of gaps in asthma‐related knowledge, the majority of nurses consistently performed routine asthma care tasks, demonstrating the importance of established protocols and organizational support. These findings suggest that mixing skill‐based training with supportive work settings could improve nursing care that follows guidelines and help direct future research using clear measures of clinical practice.