Partnership for Asthma Trigger-free Homes (PATH) Study

Background. The Partnership for Asthma Trigger-free Homes (PATH) was a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study to reduce childhood asthma in a low-income, minority community with high asthma rates in Memphis. PATH provided asthma education targeted at reducing indoor asthma triggers (e.g., dust mites, cockroaches, and environmental tobacco smoke). While its goal was to reduce children's exposure to indoor asthma triggers, the intervention was aimed at adults who are in the best position to reduce indoor triggers. Methods. The PATH study examined changes in knowledge, behavior, and symptoms associated with participation in the PATH Education Session. The study employed a pre/post survey design, with each subject acting as his/her own control. The study sample included 204 adult subjects (Participants). Approximately half of the Participants had a child with asthma. We constructed six composite scores from the Participant survey responses and evaluated the change in these composite scores, and developed regression models to examine important predictors of the composite scores. Results. The General Asthma Knowledge composite score increased significantly after the Education Session. Primary predictors included residing in MHA housing, composite pest score, composite cleaning score, frequency of bedding laundering, and Education Session instructor. The mean Quality of Life composite score (assessed in the Participants who had a child with asthma) also increased after the Education Session. Conclusions. The PATH Study proved to be a promising example of a CBPR study for Memphis, with results that can inform future asthma education efforts.