Parental numeracy skills and asthma control: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Asthma is a common chronic condition among children globally, with increasing prevalence in Jordan. Effective asthma control depends on parental involvement, including numeracy skills, which influence medication management and symptom monitoring. This study investigated the association between parental numeracy and asthma control in Jordanian children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 parents of children with asthma receiving treatment at the University of Jordan Hospital between February and May 2024. Participants were recruited from clinic waiting areas. Parental numeracy was assessed using the Arabic version of the Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire (Ar-ANQ). The sample included 59.5% male children (median age = 6 years; IQR: 3–11) and 54.1% female parents (median age = 37 years; IQR: 31–43). Results: Higher parental numeracy scores were significantly associated with better asthma control (Coefficient = 0.236, 95% CI [0.056, 0.417], p = 0.01). Low monthly income and older parental age were negatively associated with asthma control (p = 0.034 and p = 0.004, respectively). Poor medication adherence also correlated with lower asthma control (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Parental numeracy significantly affects asthma control in children. Improving numeracy skills and medication adherence, especially in low-income families, could enhance asthma outcomes. Future research should explore long-term interventions to address these factors and improve asthma management in Jordan.