Characteristics and correlates of asthma knowledge among emergency department users in Harlem.
We constructed a questionnaire to assess asthma knowledge, assessed its psychometric properties, and examined its association with demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and disease severity and management in 375 adults following an asthma-related emergency department visit. Overall knowledge was poor but varied widely among respondents. Better knowledge was related to younger age, higher education, and less severe disease. Chance-orientated health locus of control and low self-esteem were associated with lower asthma knowledge. Better knowledge was associated with better disease management. We conclude that asthma education can lead to improved disease outcomes, and psychosocial factors need to be considered when designing interventions for asthma education.
Meyer
I H
IH
The Harlem Lung Center, Columbia University, Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health and the Harlem Hospital Center, New York, New York 10037, USA. im15@columbia.edu
Sternfels
P
P
Fagan
J K
JK
Copeland
L
L
Ford
J G
JG
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires