Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma frequently coexist in children, with substantial overlap in pathophysiology and clinical management. Understanding caregivers' perspectives is important for improving disease control and outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of caregivers of children with AR toward associated asthma. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2023 at the pediatric outpatient clinic of an international hospital and two tertiary hospitals in Shanghai, China. Caregivers of children diagnosed with AR, rhinitis, asthma, or a history of wheezing were invited to complete the survey. RESULTS: A total of 460 participants completed the questionnaire, of whom 316 (68.7%) were female. The median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 9 (6, 11), 24 (22, 26), and 34 (32, 38), respectively. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitude (r = 0.386, p < 0.001) and with practice, while attitude was also positively correlated with practice. Multivariate analysis showed that having a master's degree or above was independently associated with better knowledge, whereas nonmedical occupation and absence or uncertainty of family history were independently associated with worse knowledge. Having a male child and a child aged ≥ 3 years were independently associated with more positive practice, while uncertainty about family history was independently associated with more negative practice. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of children with AR demonstrated adequate knowledge, moderate attitude, and moderate practice toward asthma. Targeted educational interventions are recommended for caregivers with lower educational levels, nonmedical occupations, and uncertainty about family history.