Background: Asthma is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in rnthe world. The perceptions of children with asthma and their caregivers about rnasthma and its medication were reasons for low adherence to recommended rntreatment regimens and to poor asthma control. rnObjectives: To identify the perception of children with asthma, of their rncaregivers and healthcare providers towards asthma and barriers to long term rnchildhood asthma management in two selected referral hospitals in Addis rnAbaba, Ethiopia. rnMethods: Qualitative study design was employed using in depth interview rntechnique supplemented with observational field notes. Children with asthma rnbetween the ages of 8 to 15years old, their caregivers and healthcare providers rnin the pediatric chest clinics of two referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, were rnpurposively sampled for inclusion in the study which was ethically approved. rnAfter data was transcribed verbatim, it was translated from Amharic into rnEnglish. Finally, it was analyzed using thematic analysis. rnResult: Twenty-three children with asthma, 23 caregivers and 8 healthcare rnproviders participated in the study. Varied perception about asthma and its rnmanagement was revealed. Factors affecting childhood asthma management rninclude limited awareness about asthma and its management, inadequate rneducation received from healthcare professionals and non - adherence to rnrecommended treatment. rnConclusion: Varied perceptions about asthma and its management were rnreported by children with asthma. Low adherence of the children to their rnrecommended regimens, which may be caused by different factors, may rncontribute to suboptimal health outcomes.