Recorded presentation

Martha Snow, RN, MSN, FNP, Metro Public Health Department, 311 23rd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-880-2138, martha.snow@nashville.gov and Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, MD, MPH, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Metro Nashville Public Health Department, 311 23rd Ave North, Nashville, TN 37203.

Introduction: Asthma, the most common chronic childhood disease, affects about 5 million children in the United States. It accounts for over 14.0 million school day absences annually. These absences represent a > 50% increase from 1980-1996. The pathophysiology of asthma is unclear but theory suggests it is a combination of genetic factors, early infectious exposures, socio-economic conditions and environmental irritants. Methods: To determine the baseline incidence of self reported asthmatic symptoms in six public middle school populations, a survey tool was developed. The confidential survey was voluntarily completed by seventh grade students (n=725). Results: The data analysis revealed that out of the 725 students that completed the survey, 131 students (18%) had been told by a health professional that they had asthma. Statistically, just as many students without a diagnosis of asthma experienced an asthma attack in the past twelve months as those who reported an asthma diagnosis. Nine asthmatics (7% of 131) had an asthma attack in the last twelve months compared to twenty-two “non-asthmatics” (4% out of 594). The survey was administered by the Metropolitan Nashville Public Health Department’s school health program in partnership with the Indoor Environments Program. Future goals of this study are the assessment of indoor air quality and the provision of an asthma education program for all students, staff and school community. Conclusion: Self reported survey results revealed that there is a large reservoir of possible undiagnosed asthmatics in the school population, verifying the need for wide spread education, and not just targeted intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will become familiar with a survey tool used to assess baseline asthma data in a middle school setting.
• Participants will become educated regarding a potential reservoir of undiagnosed middle school asthmatics

Keywords: Asthma, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation