Improvements in asthma knowledge and self-efficacy among daycare staff, parents and health professionals following an interactive workshop

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.