Teen Asthma Project

Peer-Assisted Asthma Self-Management Program for Adolescents

Aims of this study are:

1. To determine the feasibility of implementing the intervention using a peer-assisted asthma day camp for adolescents with asthma.

2. To determine patterns of change in knowledge, attitudes toward asthma, self-efficacy, perception of barriers, and self-management behaviors, asthma control and quality of life over time among peer leaders.

3. To test the following hypothesis:

   • Adolescents participating in a peer-assisted asthma camp program will report improved knowledge, attitudes toward asthma, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors, decreased perception of barriers, and increased asthma control and quality of life at 3-, 6- and 9-months post-intervention compared with the adult-led camp group.

4. To examine the moderating effect of personal factors (e.g., age, sex, socioeconomic status, race, illness status, family support) on intervention outcomes such as self-management behaviors, asthma control and quality of life in adolescents with asthma.

5. To examine the effect of the peer-assisted camp program on self-reported health care utilization including emergency department visits, days of hospitalization, outpatient visits by comparing between baseline and 9-months post-camp data and between the peer-led camp and the adult-camp programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age between 13-18 years
2. mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma specified by the NHLBI Asthma guidelines
3. asthma diagnosis > 1 year
4. no other major chronic/emotional health concerns
5. ability to understand spoken and written English. Participants were recruited from the communities through flyers, newspaper ads, and referrals from clinics and schools.

Eligibility criteria for peer leaders included:

1. age between 16-20 years
2. nomination from school teachers/nurses or health care providers
3. average grade point B or above in the past school year
4. fulfillment of eligibility criteria (2)-(5) prescribed for adolescent participants.

Exclusion Criteria:

• learning disabilities based on reports from parents, teachers or clinicians