Interventions to Reduce Second Hand
Smoke Exposure in School-aged Children With Asthma
Background
Since 1979 deaths from asthma have increased, and the states with the highest
death rates are Hawaii, Arizona, and New Mexico (Sly, 1989). In a recent
1995 state wide needs assessment conducted by the Arizona Department of
Health, Office of Children with Special Needs, 26.4% of 5,155 families
interviewed reported that the most frequent health care concern that lasts
more than a year with their children was asthma. The Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that between 200,000 and 1,000,000 asthmatic children
have their condition made worse by exposure to second hand smoke. Passive
smoking may also cause thousands of non asthmatic children to develop the
condition (EPA, 1993). Asthma accounts for more than 20 million lost school
days per year, and can also have the potential of adversely affecting school
performance (Kay et. al., 1995; Swanson & Thompson, 1995; and Richards,
1986).
Research has shown that several health care interventions have had positive
results in modifying second hand smoke exposure in asthmatic children.
First, that parents are more likely to change their smoking behavior when
it is related to their child's health (Moe, et. al., 1992). Second, education
regarding the effects of second hand smoke on children with asthma can
be enhanced when the information is provided by health providers to parents
while treating the child (Substance Abuse, 1994; Young, 1988). And thirdly,
children with asthma who receive health education classes have fewer absences
and better school performance than those who do not receive the classes
(Celano & Geller, 1993).
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate
a program of interventions intended to reduce second hand smoke exposure
in children with asthma through parent-child asthma education programs.
The Specific aims of the research proposal are to:
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Describe the difference in smoking behaviors between parents of asthmatic
children who participate in structured counseling sessions related to recognition
of the relationship of second hand smoke exposure to symptoms of asthma
in school-based health clinics and those who receive traditional school
health care.
-
Describe the difference in parent outcomes (early recognition of symptoms
of asthma, increased knowledge about asthma management and change in parent
smoking behaviors) between parents of asthmatic children who participate
with their children in an asthma education program in school-based health
clinics and those parents and children who receive traditional school health
care.
-
Describe the difference in child outcomes (second hand smoke exposure,
knowledge related to asthma, self-care management, absentee rate, and school
performance) between asthmatic children who participate in an asthma education
program in school based health clinics and those who receive traditional
school health care.
Research Design
Students in 15 schools in Phoenix (Arizona) Elementary School District
#1 will be evaluated on asthma knowledge and behaviors, including their
exposure to second hand smoke. Effects of nurse intervention (student
training and/or parent counseling) will be evaluated, as will the impact
of traditional school health care versus school-based clinics.
Click here to see the plan for the research design.
Research Team
This research project is made possible by a grant from the Arizona Disease
Control Research Commission.
Members
of the Asthma Intervention Research ("AIR") Team are:
-
(Front row left to right)
-
(Back row, left to right)
-
(Not pictured)
* Principal investigators
This page was last updated
on January 21, 1999.
