Home-based asthma education of young low-income children and their families

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a controlled trial of a home-based education program for low-income caregivers of young children with asthma. Methods: Participants were randomized to treatment - eight weekly asthma education sessions adapted from the Wee Wheezers program (n = 49) - or usual care (n = 46). Baseline and 3- and 12-month follow-up data were gathered from caregivers and from children's medical records. Results: Treatment was associated with less bother from asthma symptoms, more symptom-free days, and better caregiver quality of life at follow-up for children 1-3, but not those 4-6, years of age. Treatment and control groups did not differ in caregiver asthma management behavior or children's acute care utilization. Conclusions: This home-based asthma education program was most effective with younger children; perhaps their caregivers were more motivated to learn about asthma management. Targeting psychosocial factors associated with asthma morbidity might also enhance the efficacy of asthma education for these families.