Table 5 Summary of the studies
Reference and country | Aim | Study Design | Participants and sample | Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamberlain et al. (2014) [14] United Kingdom | To investigate in a qualitative study, the thoughts and feelings of women’s experiences of asthma in pregnancy. | Purposive sample. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using the ‘Framework’ Method. | N = 7 (22 women were asked to participate, however data saturation achieved at n = 7). | Themes: Asthma and pregnancy, Pregnancy and post-natal experiences and Health professionals. |
Grzeskowiak et al. (2016) [23] Australia | To investigate the impact of introducing an antenatal asthma management service (AMS) on asthma control during pregnancy and subsequent perinatal outcomes. | Non-interventional prospective cohort study of pregnant asthmatic women attending a tertiary hospital antenatal clinic. A new nurse-led AMS was introduced offering asthma self-management education and support with outcomes. | Pregnant women (n = 169) recruited from antenatal clinic and followed up with visits at 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation by a midwife with additional respiratory training. N = 89 recruited prior to introduction of AMS and n = 80 recruited after AMS was introduced. | Relative risk for exacerbations, loss of control and persistent uncontrolled asthma were all reduced with attendance to AMS during pregnancy. |
Lim et al. (2012) [19] Australia | To investigate how pregnant women manage their asthma during pregnancy and factors influencing their behaviour. | In-depth interviews (18 by telephone and 5 face-to-face) with pregnant asthmatic women. Framework Method. | A purposive sample (derived from 179 potential participants) of n = 23 asthmatic women at various stages of pregnancy and with varying severity of asthma using questions derived from the Asthma Control Questionnaire. | Themes: Risks versus Benefits, Self-Efficacy, Asthma as a Priority, Support and Guidance and Influences on Medication Use. |
Lim et al. (2014) [26] Australia | To develop and evaluate a pharmacist-led intervention, directed at improving maternal asthma control, involving multidisciplinary care, education and regular monitoring to help reduce risks. | Randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to either an intervention or a usual care group. The primary outcome was Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score, with mean changes in ACQ scores compared between groups at 3 and 6 months to evaluate intervention efficacy. | N = 60 pregnant women <20 weeks’ gestation who had used asthma medications in the previous year were recruited. | Statistically significant difference between the two groups at 6 months (p < .001) with all participants in the intervention group having ACQ scores of <1.5 indicating adequately controlled asthma. |
Murphy et al. (2005) [22] Australia | To determine the level of asthma self-management skills and knowledge among pregnant subjects and describe the implementation of an asthma education programme delivered in an antenatal clinic setting. | Pregnant subjects with asthma were assessed by an asthma educator at 20 and 33 weeks’ gestation. Some were provided with a written action plan. | Pregnant subjects with a doctor diagnosis of asthma (n = 211) were recruited. N = 149 females were followed up at ~33 weeks’ gestation. All were seen by the same asthma educator. | Significant improvements found in all aspects of asthma self-management. |