Developing a Mobile App for Monitoring Pediatric Asthma Management at Home

Thesis Abstract

Childhood asthma remains a prevalent chronic respiratory condition, with significant implications for pediatric health outcomes and healthcare system burdens worldwide. Effective management at home is crucial for reducing exacerbations, emergency visits, and hospitalizations; however, adherence to treatment regimens and ongoing monitoring often face challenges due to limited caregiver engagement and inconsistent symptom tracking. This study aims to develop a mobile application tailored for parents and caregivers to monitor pediatric asthma symptoms, medication adherence, and environmental triggers seamlessly within a home setting, thereby enhancing disease management and improving health outcomes. The primary objectives are to design a user-centric mobile app grounded in health behavior change theories, evaluate its usability and acceptance among caregivers, and assess its impact on asthma control over a six-month period. The theoretical framework integrates the Health Belief Model and the Technology Acceptance Model to inform app features that promote sustained engagement and behavioral change. The study adopts a mixed-methods research design, comprising an initial qualitative phase for needs assessment and app design, followed by a quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest approach to evaluate efficacy. The qualitative phase involves conducting thematic analysis of focus group discussions with 30 caregivers of children aged 5–12 diagnosed with asthma, to identify contextual challenges and desired functionalities in the app. Insights obtained guide the development of a prototype mobile application, implemented using agile development methodologies. For the quantitative phase, a sample of 150 caregivers (75 in the intervention group using the app and 75 in a control group receiving standard care) will be recruited from pediatric clinics. Data collection instruments include standardized asthma control questionnaires, medication adherence scales, and app usability and satisfaction surveys, with data gathered at baseline, three months, and six months. Data analysis employs descriptive statistics to summarize demographic and baseline characteristics. Inferential analysis involves paired t-tests and ANCOVA to evaluate changes in asthma control and adherence levels over time, considering potential confounders. Thematic analysis will also be applied to qualitative feedback collected via semi-structured interviews post-intervention, providing insights into user experience and barriers to adoption. The Expectation–Confirmation Theory will be used to interpret user satisfaction data and predict continued usage intention. Expected findings suggest that the mobile app will significantly improve caregiver adherence to medication schedules, enhance symptom monitoring, and lead to better asthma control scores compared to the control group. Usability evaluations are anticipated to demonstrate high satisfaction levels, with qualitative feedback highlighting aspects of usability and contextual relevance. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing evidence on the effectiveness and acceptability of ICT-driven interventions for pediatric asthma management in low-resource settings, and offers a scalable model for integrating mobile health solutions into routine care. The main conclusion emphasizes that a well-designed, theory-based mobile application can serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional asthma management protocols, fostering increased caregiver engagement and improved health outcomes. Recommendations include integrating the app into broader pediatric respiratory care programs, conducting long-term follow-up studies to assess sustained impact, and exploring scalability across different healthcare environments. Future research should also investigate the app’s applicability to other chronic childhood conditions and incorporate emerging technologies such as sensors and AI-driven alerts to further personalize care.