Asthma Surveillance and Education in Preschool Settings

Asthma Surveillance and Education in Preschool Settings

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a bilingual intervention in improving asthma care for low-income inner-city children enrolled in subsidized preschool childcare programs.

BACKGROUND:

Proposed is a non-randomized, controlled, prospective trial to test the efficacy of a bilingual intervention to improve asthma care for low-income inner-city children enrolled in subsidized preschool childcare programs. Because of high rates of asthma prevalence, subsidized preschool childcare programs offer ideal settings to test innovative strategies to improve asthma care within communities at highest risk of morbidity.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

The study will comprise three arms. Arm 1 is surveillance, in which children with asthma are identified. In Arm 2, children with asthma are identified and given written Asthma Action Plans (monitoring). Arm 3 consists of surveillance, monitoring, and education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Enrolled in specific subsidized preschools in New York City
• 2.8 to 4 years old
• Persistent asthma as defined by symptom reports
• Use of quick-relief agents or controller medications

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of intubation