Montgomery County, Maryland is concerned that pediatric asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization of children 0-9 years of age and a significant cause in 10-14 and 15-17 year olds. Montgomery Asthma Initiative Resources (Montgomery AIR), a coalition of more than 80 public, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations, is actively seeking ways to reduce them. One effort is focused on strengthening school-related asthma programs. It is well known that expert and public perceptions and knowledge about health risks may vary. However, there is very little literature about parents’ or school nurses’ views of pediatric asthma triggers or controls. We conducted a project to develop new knowledge that could be used to enhance pediatric asthma programs in the county. During winter 2001, we convened a focus group of school nurses and eight focus groups of parents of 5-7 year olds to obtain information about their views and issues related to pediatric asthma triggers and controls. Similarities and differences in perceptions and priorities between groups were observed and provide guidance for strengthening educational activities on pediatric asthma.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Recognize parents’ and school nurses’ views about pediatric asthma triggers and controls. 2. Describe barriers that parents and nurses experience in addressing environmental factors of asthma. 3. Identify approaches to strengthen asthma educational activities for both parents and school nurses.
Keywords: Asthma, Environmental Health
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Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
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