Development of interactive asthma self-management programs for children and families

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory tract affecting 7 million children in the U.S. Managing this chronic disease requires adherence to medical treatment protocols. To inform the development of an interactive asthma self-management program, we conducted 18 focus groups in Oregon, California, and Maryland. Groups consisted of children aged 5-10 with asthma (n=62) and one of their parents/caregivers (n=61) and were organized by race/ethnicity (African American, Caucasian, Latino, bi-racial/multi-racial). To participate, parent/caregivers had to report their child had a physician's diagnosis of asthma and had been prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid for long-term control of symptoms. Parent and child groups were conducted separately and facilitators were matched to the participants' race/ethnicity. Parents/caregivers were asked to discuss their perceptions of severity of their child's symptoms and benefits and barriers to following the child's asthma management plan. Children were asked to describe their perceptions of susceptibility to ill effects of asthma, as well as the benefits and barriers to following their treatment plan. Groups were also probed for knowledge deficits regarding asthma and asthma management. Preliminary analysis indicated that the majority of children could not define asthma or distinguish between control and rescue medication; however, most parents did know the function of the medications. Children and parents also indicated they follow medication protocols with fidelity. Both children and parents expressed concerns about the child's limitations in activities, sports, and exercise due to asthma. Further findings from the focus groups and implications for the self-management programs will be discussed.