MICROS: Asthma Control App for School Adolescents in a Low Resource Setting - A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Adolescent asthma control is often poor due to insufficient self-management education.
• Low-resource settings present unique challenges for asthma care and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effectiveness of the "KmAsthma" mobile health (mHealth) self-management app.
• To improve asthma control among adolescents in a low-resource setting (Kampala, Uganda).

Main Methods:

• A 6-month cluster randomized controlled trial involving 120 adolescents (12-19 years) with uncontrolled asthma.
• The intervention group used the "KmAsthma" app for education and self-management, covering goals, symptoms, medication reminders, and emergency support.
• Primary outcome: change in mean Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores. Secondary outcomes: quality of life, medication adherence, and self-efficacy.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to measure improvements in asthma control, quality of life, adherence, and self-efficacy.
• Expected to demonstrate the feasibility and impact of mHealth in improving adolescent asthma management.

Conclusions:

• The MICROS study will offer insights into the efficacy of mHealth for adolescent asthma self-management in low-resource environments.
• Findings aim to address the gap in satisfactory asthma control among adolescents, informing future interventions.