Identification of risk for wheezing at home by caregivers

Objective: to investigate the ability of caregivers in identification of risk factors for wheezing existing residences of children wheezing and/or asthmatic children under five years. Method: this about an exploratory, cross-sectional study, from quantitative approach, performed with caregivers of children wheezing and/or asthma assisted in two Family Health Units in Jaboatão dos Guararapes city, Pernambuco, Brasil. Data were collected with the use of two techniques: interviews and field observation after the study has been approved by the Ethics in Research from University of Pernambuco, protocol number 314/09 (CAAE 0312.0.172.000-09). Results: the main triggers for crises wheezing identified by the caregivers were cold (95%), exposure to allergens dust (87,5%) and temperature changes (85%). Among the bedrooms observed by the researchers, 72,5% had a cement floor, 87,5% curtains, 65% were not airy;17,5% had passive exposure to smoke. It was found that none of the children wore pillow and foam mattress with adequate cover properly. Conclusion: most of the households, the caregivers recognized the triggers of wheezing, however, only a minority made environmental changes and behavioral. Descriptors: asthma; child; respiratory sounds; risk factors.