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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jessica Purmort, BA, Micaela H. Coady, MS, Angela M. Bucciarelli, MPH, and Sebastian Bonner, PhD. Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-419-3513, jpurmort@nyam.org

Underuse of controller medicines and overuse of bronchodilators among preschool-age children suggest the need for individualized education to improve medical management of asthma. One-on-one asthma education meetings (English and Spanish) were offered to parents of children enrolled in subsidized preschool centers in East Harlem, NYC, an area of high asthma prevalence. A community health worker (CHW) specializing in asthma education was trained to recruit parents, deliver educational modules, and collect case management data. Nine educational modules were available for delivery based on the learning needs of the parent. Of 31 parents approached, 27 were enrolled, of which 89% were female, 67% Hispanic and 85% English-speaking. Parents met with the CHW an average of 3.5 times (at home or preschool) over approximately 15 weeks. A total of 80 educational modules were delivered, the majority focused on airway inflammation (85%) or controller medications (63%). Of the 21 program completers, at enrollment, 33% of the children's written asthma management plans included inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in the green zone, increasing to 57% at program completion. From enrollment to program completion, there was a 33% increase of ICS use (from 43% to 57%) and a 43% increase (from 33% to 48%) in adherent administration of ICS (≥ 10 days/2 weeks). Administration of bronchodilator ≥ 5 days/2 weeks reported by 24% of parents at enrollment fell to 10% upon completion. Individualized asthma education was well-received, and CHWs can improve the use of and adherence to controller medicines, and decrease the use of bronchodilators, among preschool children.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Understand the role of CHWs in delivering this individualized asthma education program
• Describe the content of asthma educational modules
• Quantify the impact of CHWs on pediatric asthma management
• Generalize the CHW role to other communities or health issues

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered