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Asthma management in eastern Australia, 1990 and 1993
E J Comino1, C A Mitchell, A Bauman
1School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|April 1, 1996
Summary
The National Asthma Campaign improved asthma management in Australian children and adults. Awareness and use of preventive strategies increased, though respiratory symptoms also rose.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma prevalence and management require ongoing evaluation.
- National public health campaigns aim to improve disease control.
- Understanding campaign impact is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the National Asthma Campaign on asthma prevalence and management.
- To compare asthma indicators before and after the campaign's implementation.
- To evaluate changes in medication use, monitoring, and action plan adoption.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in Eastern Australia in 1990 and 1993.
- Involved primary school children and their parents.
- Assessed respiratory symptoms, asthma diagnoses, medication use, lung function, peak flow meter possession, and written action plans.
Main Results:
- Asthma prevalence remained stable, but episodes of wheezing and cough increased in children.
- Asthma management showed significant improvement, with reduced use of regular inhaled bronchodilators.
- Increased use of preventive medications, doctor-led lung function monitoring, peak flow meters, and action plans observed in children and adults.
Conclusions:
- The National Asthma Campaign likely contributed to enhanced asthma awareness and management.
- Evidence suggests positive shifts in asthma care practices following the campaign.
- Further research may explore specific campaign elements driving these improvements.