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Effects of a self-management educational program for the control of childhood asthma
M G Pérez1, L Feldman, F Caballero
1Universidad Simón Bolívar, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología del Comportamiento, Caracas, Venezuela. mgperez@usb.ve
Insights
This study shows that a self-management educational program significantly improved asthma knowledge and self-care abilities in children and parents. The program also reduced illness, with younger children benefiting most.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Health Education
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Asthma education programs are crucial for improving pediatric asthma management.
- Self-management skills empower children and families to better control asthma.
- Limited research exists on the effectiveness of such programs in diverse cultural settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a self-management educational program on children with asthma and their parents.
- To assess changes in asthma knowledge, self-management abilities, and morbidity.
- To explore the influence of children's age on program outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 29 children (ages 6-14) and their parents in Venezuela.
- The experimental group received a multi-session educational program with cognitive-behavioral strategies.
- Outcomes measured included asthma knowledge, self-management practices, and a morbidity index.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significant improvements in children's asthma knowledge (P < 0.001) and self-management (P < 0.000).
- Parents in the experimental group also demonstrated significantly increased asthma knowledge (P < 0.008).
- A significant reduction in the morbidity index was observed in the intervention group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The self-management educational program effectively enhanced asthma knowledge and self-care in pediatric patients and their parents.
- The program demonstrated a positive impact on reducing asthma-related morbidity.
- Children's age is a key factor, with younger children showing greater benefits, suggesting tailored program design is important.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a self-management educational program on 29 children between 6 and 14 years old and their parents implemented in an office setting in Venezuela. Children were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. Children's asthma knowledge, self-management abilities, index morbidity, parents' asthma knowledge and management abilities were measured. The program consisted of six sessions of information giving and cognitive-behavioral strategies for the children, and two talks and an informative brochure for the parents. Results of t tests indicate that the experimental group experienced a statistical significant effects on children's asthma knowledge (P < 0.001) and practice of self-management abilities (P < 0.000) and in parents' knowledge (P < 0.008) compared to the control group. The educational Self-management program had a significant impact on the Morbidity Index of the study group at post-test (P < 0.05). Younger children benefited more from the program compared to older ones (P < 0.09). Children's age is highlighted as a critical variable in designing asthma educational programs. Results suggest the effectiveness on these programs independently of the cultural context.