Asthma management in eastern Australia, 1990 and 1993.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence and management of asthma before and after institution of the National Asthma Campaign.


METHODS
Repeat population-based cross-sectional analytic surveys.


METHODS
Eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and the Hunter Valley, New South Wales) in September 1990 and 1993.


METHODS
Primary school children and their parents from 33 schools (8746 children) in 1990 and 40 schools (10 106 children) in 1993.


METHODS
Frequency of respiratory symptoms; diagnoses of asthma; medications; lung function measurements; possession of a peak flow meter and a written action plan.


RESULTS
Age and sex distribution of the subjects and the reported prevalence of asthma were similar in 1990 and 1993. The frequency of reported episodes of wheezing and troublesome cough increased significantly in children between 1990 and 1993. Asthma management improved in accordance with current recommendations, with significantly decreased use of regular inhaled bronchodilator medication in children and increased use of preventive medication, monitoring of lung function by doctors and use of peak flow meters and written action plans in both children and adults.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that the National Asthma Campaign may have contributed to increased awareness and improved management of asthma in children and adults in eastern Australia.
Comino
E J
EJ
School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Mitchell
C A
CA
Bauman
A
A
Henry
R L
RL
Robertson
C F
CF
Abramson
M J
MJ
Ruffin
R
R
Landau
L
L
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents