Abstract
Objective: We investigated the need for a school-based asthma educational program in Saudi Arabia by assessing asthma-related school policies and school staff's knowledge about asthma and asthma management. Methods: We used a cross-sectional questionnaire method in a sample of primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between August and November 2013. Results: A total of 1139 teachers and 82 managers from 89 primary schools participated in the study. The results indicated the lack of asthma-related school policies, resources, and first aid services. On a questionnaire with a possible score range of 0-20, the mean total knowledge score of the sample was 9.69 +/- 4.00 (mean score/20 +/- SD). Only 15% of the managers and 14% of the teachers were confident about their skill and competence to care for a student with asthma or assist a student during an asthma attack. The majority of participants highlighted the urgent need for asthma education in schools. Conclusions: School-based asthma educational programs and policies are warranted to minimize asthma-related complications in Saudi schools.