Beliefs, perceptions and practices about asthma among Iranian asthma patients

To evaluate the beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with asthma about variousaspects of their condition we interviewed 123 patients attending 2 outpatient departments of hospitalsin Tehran. Most of the participants did not recall their past medical history of asthma. Many patientswith a history of using oral inhalers did not use these regularly (41.9%); the major reason reportedwas feeling no need to use medication during symptom-free intervals. Only 32 (30.5%) patientsdemonstrated the correct technique for using their oral inhaler. Patients with asthma need moreeducation about prevention and control of symptoms. Neglect by physicians of the Global Initiative forAsthma management guidelines was another major concern.