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Abstract #155758

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Jonathan Ross, BA, Sebastian Bonner, PhD, Vijay Nandi, MPH, and Micaela H. Coady, MS. Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-419-3527, jon8ross@hotmail.com

Asthma treatment in economically disadvantaged urban communities is characterized by under-use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and Asthma Action Plans (AAPs). Asthma morbidity rates are high in subsidized daycare programs serving these communities. A 1-hour interactive workshop focusing on ICS and AAPs was delivered by an asthma educator at five New York City daycares in Harlem, Chinatown and the Lower East Side, and at a seminar for health professionals. Asthma knowledge was assessed using a questionnaire administered before and after the workshop. Seven items evaluated knowledge about atopy, airway inflammation, ICS, AAPs, and adherence; 1 item assessed self-efficacy. Of 106 participants, 87% were female, 43% Hispanic/Latino, 17% African-American, and 16% Asian. Almost half (43%) were daycare staff, 8% were family members of an asthmatic child, 21% were daycare staff and family members, and 15% were health professionals. Significant improvements from pre- to post-test were found on each of the 7 knowledge items and on the overall mean score (mean pre-test = 2.9, post-test = 5.0 [p<0.001]). In particular, at pre-test, 47% of participants indicated that ICS must be administered daily, compared to 85% at post-test (p = 0.035). Improvements were significant at the p<0.001 level at all venues, within all racial/ethnic groups, and within each participant category (family, staff, health professional). Half of the participants reported confidence in their ability to control asthma at pre-test, compared to 80% at post-test (p<0.001). This asthma education workshop is an accessible intervention that has increased asthma knowledge among a diverse group of participants.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the theoretical basis and content of the asthma workshop.
• Describe the items used to assess asthma knowledge included in the pre- and post-test instrument.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop in terms of participants’ increased knowledge of asthma management.
• Generalize the workshop to other school settings or populations.

Keywords: Asthma, Health Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording