Impact of a program of health education for the asthmatic child and their families

Abstract

Guidelines for management establish health education as part of asthma care. A Health Education Program for Asthmatic Children and Families was started in our institution. This descriptive retrospective study was designed in order to evaluate the Program impact in children and family satisfaction; 386 children were enrolled. Their asthma was properly controlled in 78 %. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of rapid action beta 2 agonists use and hospital admissions, and a highly significant decrease (p < 0.001) of corticosteroids use and emergency visits. Educational content was found to be excellent in 98 %; 99 % understood and accepted the condition; 96 % were able to recognize early symptoms and started home treatment; 92 % correctly managed inhalation technique. The Program had a high impact on children asthma control, with a significant decrease in emergency visits, admissions, and drug use, becoming a useful model.