The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49933

Amena A. Husain, MPH¹, Josephine Elia, MD², Salvatore Mangione, MD³, and David Tollerud, MD, MPH¹. (1) School of Public Health, MCP Hahnemann University, 633 W. Rittenhouse St. B716, Philadelphia, PA 19144, 215-991-0770, amena77@yahoo.com, (2) Adolescent and Child Health Division, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (3) Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 119, 1025 Walnut Street, Center for Research in Medical Education and Health Care, Philadelphia, PA 19107

The purpose of this research is to identify a possible association between asthma morbidity in children and exposure to violence in the environment. Previous research has suggested that exposure to community violence was a significant risk factor for development of childhood asthma. Surveys were conducted in twelve Philadelphia middle schools (1999) serving low-income and minority populations. Prior to participating in the study, respondents were screened for asthma with ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood), a validated video-questionnaire. 3247 fifth and sixth grade students took part in the screening study and approximately one-third of this population reported having asthmatic symptoms in the past year. A subpopulation of 280 subjects was recruited to complete a violence exposure assessment. Family violence and community violence are being examined for potential effects on the following asthma outcomes: 1) symptomatology, 2) nocturnal disturbance, and 3) frequency of hospital/ physician/ ER visits. Preliminary analysis shows that the sample population is characterized by a substantial exposure to violence or the threat of violence. For example, 41% saw someone injured in the community and 22% reports being exposed to frequent fighting in the home. In addition, 18% state that they have been spanked with a hand or an object. Further analyses are being undertaken to assess relationships between asthma symptoms and violence exposure. Overall, the findings of this research can contribute to our understanding of triggers for childhood asthma and assess the need for a violence component in urban asthma interventions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• assess the connection between asthma and violence among school-aged, inner-city children,
• analyze the role that environmental stress plays in affecting asthma,
• acquire knowledge of violence exposure assessment tools and asthma screening strategies,
• determine the importance of including a violence component in urban asthma interventions

Keywords: Asthma, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.