School asthma policies and teachers' confidence and attitudes about their role in asthma management

School practices in supporting children with asthma in Malta

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to obtain information about teachers' knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs about medication related to working with children having asthma in state primary schools in Malta. This study provides information about management in a country with a high prevalence of asthma among children, and limited availability of school nurses.

METHODS

A cross-sectional electronic survey investigating beliefs about medicines, asthma knowledge, attitude toward students with asthma, self-efficacy and practice in an asthma exacerbation, current practices, views, experiences and training relating to asthma was sent to all participating state primary schools in Malta.

RESULTS

A total of 167 teachers from 26 schools answered the questionnaire. The majority of respondents (56%) were unaware of children's conditions and limited information about children's asthma was provided to them. Only 20% of teachers reported receiving training on how to support children with asthma. Overall, teachers reported low asthma knowledge scores (mean score of 5.5 ± 3.3 out of a possible maximum of 14), and poor self-efficacy with only 6% agreeing that they can support a student having an asthma exacerbation on their own rather than sending the student to hospital. The study also demonstrated a strong interest by teachers to receive asthma education.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions with regard to identifying students with asthma, asthma training for teachers, individualized asthma action plans, enhanced communication between school staff, parents and the medical team, and standard guidelines/policy are needed to provide a supportive school environment for primary school children with asthma.

Asthma management in school: parents' and school personnel perspectives

Objective: Effective asthma management at school can help students with asthma stay healthy, learn better and participate fully during their school day. This study sought to understand school-based asthma care from the perspective of parents and school personnel to improve asthma care at school. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hartford, CT. School personnel from 59 schools and 322 parents/guardians were invited to participate. Four cross-sectional surveys using Likert-type scales assessed parental and school personnel satisfaction, confidence in managing asthma, policy awareness, management of asthma during physical activity, and perceived gaps surrounding school-based asthma care. Results: 263/322 (82%) eligible parents of children with asthma (mean age 8.5 ± 4.3, 56% Hispanic, 30% African American) completed surveys. Thirty six school nurses (62%), 131 teachers (8%), 14 coaches (14%), and 17 school principals (29%) participated. 90% of parents were satisfied with asthma management in school. School nurses were more aware of asthma policies than teachers (74% vs. 24%, p < 0.001). 34% of school nurses, 30% of teachers and 36% of coaches were unaware of asthma-related absences. 14% of physical education teachers/coaches reported no asthma training. Conclusion: In this convenience sample of parents and school personnel, parents reported overall satisfaction regarding the asthma care their children receive at school, yet a number of gaps pertaining to school-based asthma care were identified. Increased asthma training and enhanced communication among school personnel is needed to address these gaps. National guidelines and resources are readily available to improve asthma care at school.

Student perspectives on asthma management in schools: a mixed-methods study examining experiences, facilitators, and barriers to care

Objective: Children spend nearly a third of their day at school, making it a critical point of intervention for those with asthma. This study aimed to illuminate minority students' experiences with asthma at school and perceptions of facilitators and barriers to care. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with elementary students with asthma. Participants completed a 24-question survey, drawing exercise to depict experiences caring for their asthma at school, and focus group discussion. Drawings were analyzed for narrative and pictorial themes. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and independently coded for themes. Results: Fifteen children with asthma (8-11 years) participated from two Chicago schools with predominately African-American populations. Most students (79%) indicated they had control of asthma at school, while 85% identified asthma as a problem when exercising. Half (53%) received help with asthma care at school. Drawings depicted cooperative management with adults or peers and the central role of inhalers as part of everyday asthma care in school. Finally, focus groups produced six key themes within the domains of facilitators: 1) support of others, 2) self-efficacy; 3) perception of being normal; and barriers: 4) lack of support from others; 5) difficulty accessing inhaler; 6) perception of being different. Conclusions: This study suggests asthma care plays an important role in students' school experiences. Stigma around inhaler use, lack of concern by school staff, and limited access to medications remain as barriers to school-based asthma management. Although facilitators, such as support from teachers and peers, do exist, future interventions must address existing barriers.

Parental Perspectives of Barriers to Physical Activity in Urban Schoolchildren With Asthma

OBJECTIVE

Physical activity (PA) levels are low in today's youth and may even be lower in those with asthma. Barriers to PA have not been well studied in inner-city minority children with asthma. We conducted a qualitative study to characterize parental perceptions of barriers to PA and ways to improve PA levels in children with asthma.

METHODS

We used the socioecologic model to inform development of our interview guide. Questions fell into 2 socioecologic model domains: interpersonal (parent, family) barriers and community (neighborhood, school) barriers. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 parents (21 mothers, 2 fathers) of inner-city children with asthma (aged 8-10 years) from 10 Bronx, New York, elementary schools. Sampling continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and independently coded for common themes. Emerging themes were discussed and agreed on by investigators.

RESULTS

Three themes surrounding interpersonal barriers to PA emerged: 1) parental fear of exercise-induced asthma due to lack of child symptom awareness, 2) nonadherence and refusal to take medications, and 3) challenges with asthma management. Four themes around community barriers to PA emerged: 1) lack of trust in school management of asthma, 2) lack of school PA facilities, 3) unsafe neighborhoods, and 4) financial burden of PA.

CONCLUSIONS

A complex, multilevel set of barriers to PA exist in children with asthma. Addressing these barriers by involving stakeholders at the family, school, and community levels may improve PA levels in children with asthma.