Melissa A. Valerio, MPH¹, Dana Jones Benet, PhD, MPH², and Noreen M. Clark, PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-615-3253, mvalerio@umich.edu, (2) Abt Associates Inc., 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Background: In the US 9.2 million children between the ages of 0-17 have asthma. Some urban areas report a prevalence rate over 20% (CDC, Clark). Smoking is a leading indoor irritant and precipitant of asthma symptoms in children (NIHLBI). Methods: Over 600 caregivers and elementary school children participated in a randomized controlled study. While the educational program did not emphasize smoking, children discussed the issue as it relates to asthma triggers and parents received informational literature. Logistic regressions to test differences between baseline and follow-up reports. Utilizing NAEPP guidelines, 21% of the children were classified as having persistent asthma. Results: Number of caregivers reporting smoking, keeping child away from smoke, and people who smoked in the home did not significantly change over the study period. Caregivers of children in the control group were more likely to report smoking in the child's home (p=0.0268) while caregivers of children in the treatment group felt they were more successful at keeping their child away from smoke (p=0.0029). At follow-up, a significant number of children in both treatment (p<0.0001) and control (p<0.0001) groups reported smoking as an asthma trigger. Children in the treatment group were more likely to report that others smoked in their home (p=0.0437) at follow-up. Conclusion: Asthma education for children and caregivers should include smoking trigger information and address the effects of smoking in the child’s indoor environment. Although children recognize smoking as an asthma trigger, those in the intervention were more likely to recognize smoking in their indoor household environment.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the effect of smoking on children's asthma.
• List and identify environmental asthma triggers.
• Develop a plan to collect information regarding smoking in a child's home.

Keywords: Asthma, Smoking

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.