Empowering Family Caregivers Through Airway Clearance Education for Children with Bronchopneumonia

Abstract

Background: Bronchopneumonia in young children may be accompanied by excessive airway secretions, dyspnea, tachypnea, and ineffective airway clearance. Family caregivers require adequate knowledge and practical skills to recognize respiratory problems, provide basic airway-clearance support, and identify conditions requiring professional healthcare.
Objectives: This community service program aimed to improve family caregivers’ knowledge and practical skills in supporting airway clearance and recognizing respiratory danger signs in children with bronchopneumonia.
Methods: The program involved 30 family caregivers and was implemented through assessment, education, demonstration, guided practice, return-demonstration, feedback, and post-program evaluation. Educational activities addressed respiratory danger signs, airway-clearance support, semi-Fowler positioning, sputum observation, safe nebulizer preparation and mask placement, device hygiene, and indications for seeking professional care. Program outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-program knowledge assessments and practical skills checklists.
Results: The mean knowledge score increased from 54.7 to 87.7. The proportion of caregivers correctly demonstrating essential inhalation-therapy and airway-support skills increased from 30.0% to 90.0%, while correct recognition of respiratory danger signs increased from 43.3% to 93.3%.
Conclusions: Structured education combined with demonstration and return-demonstration improved caregivers’ knowledge and practical competencies. Caregiver education may support safer home respiratory care while reinforcing appropriate use of professional healthcare services.