Social Circumstances Affecting Asthma: A Group Concept Mapping Study of School Stakeholders

Asthma exacerbations are preventable, costly, and a common cause of school absenteeism. Using Group Concept Mapping, we interviewed school nurses, staff, school-based providers, and families/caregivers (N = 31). We elicited feedback regarding social circumstances relevant to asthma exacerbations in schools and then participants prioritized those circumstances. Perspectives of our 31 participants produced 84 statements, grouped into 10 clusters and rated separately on the impact and feasibility of preventing asthma exacerbations in schools. The highest rated clusters were Exposure to smoking / vaping and Caregiver / Child lack of asthma education. Stakeholders identified a variety of factors, with some rated as highly impactful yet less feasible to address. Important circumstances are recognized by multiple stakeholders, yet are underresearched, especially to guide collaborative school-based interventions. Our findings can be used to prioritize feasible and impactful interventions in collaboration between school nurses, staff, school-based providers, and families, ultimately decreasing the suffering of children with asthma.