title: A school-based asthma intervention program in the Buffalo, New York, schools.
abstract: This project investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a school asthma program in reducing asthma exacerbations among school children. In 1997-1998, two schools were selected for a case control pilot study. The intervention required that students with asthma, who needed medication daily at school, must present a written plan from the health care provider. Students with asthma were identified through parent/guardian or school reports. The pilot program was expanded into five schools in 1998-1999. All schools kept records of rescue treatments for asthma episodes. The pilot intervention resulted in an 80% decrease in rescue treatments from 1996-1997 to 1997-1998. In the additional five schools, an overall decrease of 17% occurred in rescue treatments during 1998-2000. Overall, 65% of physicians provided requested Asthma Care Plans (ACP). In two schools, the number of asthma care plans that required anti-inflammatory medications tripled. Preliminary results indicate this school asthma program proved feasible and effective in reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations at school.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Dept. of Medicine, Kaleida Health Buffalo General Division, SUNY, Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 100 High St., Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. jlwebuga@acsu.buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Jamson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lwebuga-Mukasa
authors.forename: Elisha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunn-Georgiou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019468:Disease Management; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013383:Suburban Population