Effects of a self-management educational program for the control of childhood asthma.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a self-management educational program on 29 children between 6 and 14 years old and their parents implemented in an office setting in Venezuela. Children were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. Children's asthma knowledge, self-management abilities, index morbidity, parents' asthma knowledge and management abilities were measured. The program consisted of six sessions of information giving and cognitive-behavioral strategies for the children, and two talks and an informative brochure for the parents. Results of t tests indicate that the experimental group experienced a statistical significant effects on children's asthma knowledge (P < 0.001) and practice of self-management abilities (P < 0.000) and in parents' knowledge (P < 0.008) compared to the control group. The educational Self-management program had a significant impact on the Morbidity Index of the study group at post-test (P < 0.05). Younger children benefited more from the program compared to older ones (P < 0.09). Children's age is highlighted as a critical variable in designing asthma educational programs. Results suggest the effectiveness on these programs independently of the cultural context.
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología del Comportamiento, Caracas, Venezuela. mgperez@usb.ve
M G
MG
Pérez
L
L
Feldman
F
F
Caballero
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014687:Venezuela