title: Educational camp for children with asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of a 5-day educational camp program for children with asthma in terms of improving their knowledge of asthma and enhancing their performance in the use of inhaled medication and in physical activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Every day, the children received 20-min interactive educational sessions, the technique for using the metered-dose inhaler was reviewed, two peak flow readings were recorded, and the children performed physical activities that included breathing and relaxation exercises. A questionnaire regarding knowledge of asthma, as well as asthma triggers, asthma medications, misconceptions regarding asthma, and the use of spacers, was administered before and after the intervention. Correct use of inhaled medication and exercise-related symptoms were also evaluated before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 37 children with asthma, aged 8-10 years (15 females and 22 males), were included in this study. Of those, 25% showed an improvement in the level of knowledge of asthma after the educational camp program, as evidenced by the greater number of correct answers on three of the twelve questions analyzed (p < 0.05). The exercise-related dyspnea scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The ability to use inhaled medication correctly was significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The asthma educational camp program can improve knowledge about specific questions, encourage participation in physical activities, and improve the asthma management skills of children.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, Federal University of Maranhão - São Luís, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria do Rosario da Silva Ramos
authors.initials: Mdo R
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria Alenita
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Ilka Lopes
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Juliano
authors.forename: José Rosado
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Ana Luisa Godoy
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012646:Self Administration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents