Table 1.

Interview Guide

I want to understand how you think about your asthma. This interview will focus on ways that you think about asthma and ways that you have been taught to control asthma or have learned to control asthma

Permissive stem. Everyone has a different explanation for why they have asthma

Question 1. Tell me why you have asthma. Probes: family history, living conditions, test of faith … What was going on in your life when you first got asthma? How long will you have asthma?

Permissive stem. Many patients have learned how to manage their asthma apart from taking prescribed asthma medicines. Others learn about asthma control through trial and error. Friends, family, or members of your community may have suggested certain approaches. For example, families often use home remedies for controlling asthma

Question 2a. What do you do for your asthma? Do you recall any home remedies used in your family? What were you taught to do to prevent an asthma attack? To cure asthma? Probes: protection against germs or the elements, chest rubs, things to drink or inhale, managing your bowels …

Question 2b. In some families, asthma is viewed as an imbalance in the body. What did your family believe? Probes: beliefs about temperatures, fresh air, foods or liquids. Tell me what caused this imbalance. Tell me how balance was restored

Question 2c. Many families also believe that certain types of foods or liquids are important for asthma. Tell me what your family or community thought about this. Tell me what you believe now. Probes: water, black coffee, teas, onion tonics, pot licker …

Question 2d. Many people use self-healing, energy healing, diet, plants and herbs, roots and leaves, and vitamins for asthma. Tell me what you use. Probes: herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation …