Home-Based Asthma Education of Young Low-Income Children and Their Families

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective: To conduct a controlled trial of a home-based education program for low-income caregivers of young children with asthma. Methods: Participants were randomized to treatment—eight weekly asthma education sessions adapted from the Wee Wheezers program (n = 49)—or usual care (n = 46). Baseline and 3- and 12-month follow-up data were gathered from caregivers and from children's medical records. Results: Treatment was associated with less bother from asthma symptoms, more symptom-free days, and better caregiver quality of life at follow-up for children 1-3, but not those 4-6, years of age. Treatment and control groups did not differ in caregiver asthma management behavior or children's acute care utilization. Conclusions: This home-based asthma education program was most effective with younger children; perhaps their caregivers were more motivated to learn about asthma management. Targeting psychosocial factors associated with asthma morbidity might also enhance the efficacy of asthma education for these families.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: