Experiences, Functioning and Needs of Low-Income African American Mothers of Children With Asthma 1

•Health disparity: complex interaction between caregivers and healthcare providers.•Core findings: Management, beliefs and cultural competent healthcare providers.•Cultural competent included “personal knowing.”•Tailored intervention maybe the key in self-management.

The purpose of this proposed study was to explore experiences, needs and functioning of low-income, African American caregivers of children with asthma in order to better understand symptom management.MethodA qualitative, descriptive design was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to screen 32 caregivers of children with asthma, and 15 caregivers agreed to participate.ResultsThree main themes were identified: managing the symptoms; cultural beliefs and values; and culturally competent health care provider.ConclusionFor the caregivers culture disparity is not just about access to health services but instead the healthcare providers' understanding of the complexity of symptoms management.