Chest
Clinical InvestigationsASTHMAEffects of a Comprehensive School-Based Asthma Program on Symptoms, Parent Management, Grades, and Absenteeism
Section snippets
Sample and Research Design
Fourteen elementary schools comprising the former Area D of the Detroit School System participated in the study. These schools are located in communities that are 94% African American and for which > 40% of study children met federal guidelines for poverty according to the 1990 census. Schools faced many problems during the study period, including district reorganization and significant budget reductions. No school-based health services were available at participating elementary school sites at
Description of the Children
See the Appendix for data on the number of children enrolled in the research according to the study criteria and the symptoms reported by children surveyed regardless of enrollment status. Table 1 presents the number of children classified with persistent disease. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. According to baseline interviews, 87%, 4%, and 6% of respondents (ie, child's caregiver) were mothers, fathers, and grandmothers, respectively. Of these respondents,
Discussion
A previous study of “Open Airways for Schools”6 suggested that school-based management education focusing on children with asthma can produce improved grades for elementary school attendees, and improve parent management and duration of symptoms. That study assessed outcomes after 1 year. The present evaluation of a comprehensive school-based program, adding several components to “Open Airways for Schools,” provides evidence that expanding the intervention to reach not only the child, but also
Conclusion
A comprehensive school-based intervention enhanced health status and school performance for elementary school-aged children. Fewer symptoms, higher academic grades in science, and reduced school absences for asthma resulted. Children, their disease, the environment, clinical care, and family situations change over time. Programs provided periodically over the course of elementary school, as children mature and new challenges arise, may help them and their families to manage the disease. That in
Appendix
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors thank Drs. Molly Gong and Niko Kaciroti of the University of Michigan, Dr. Linda Leddick of the DPS Office of Research Evaluation and Testing, and the principals of the participating elementary schools for their assistance and support: Dr. Robert Bryant, Fannie Dennis, Diane Fleming, Dr. June Green-Rivers, Eddie Huwitte, Anthony Jones, Florene McMurtry, Elizabeth Nevels, Theo Overton, Sandra Rall, Paulette Thomas, Dr. Chrystal Tibbs, Peggy Williams, and Mary E. Wright.
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The work presented here was supported by the Lung Division of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant HR-56028.