title: Low-Income Children, Adolescents, and Caregivers Facing Respiratory Problems: Support Needs and Preferences.
abstract: Burdens of poverty are often compounded by respiratory problems. This study aimed to identify the support needs and intervention preferences for low-income families facing this challenge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted in two Canadian provinces with low-income children/adolescents (n=32) diagnosed with respiratory health problems and their parents or family caregiver (n=37).
  
  
  RESULTS
  These vulnerable children and parents described non-supportive interactions with some health service providers and inadequate information. They reported isolation and support deficits, exacerbated by limited resources and health restrictions. Children/adolescents felt isolated and excluded and wanted to connect with peers. Group or dyadic level support, delivered by peers and health professionals, was desired. The importance of logistics to enhance accessibility and appeal of group or dyadic support interventions was clearly identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study reveal that low-income children and their families encounter challenges to accessing support and to utilizing support resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partnerships with low-income children/adolescents and family caregivers in provision of education and social support can combat isolation and ignorance. Reducing inequities for this high risk population could be achieved by providing support from experienced peers, in combination with health professional guidance, and knowledge about pulmonary health.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and School of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Electronic address: mirams@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Faculties of Nursing & Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letourneau
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.affiliation: Social Support Research Program, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almond
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health / Q000191:economics*; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health / Q000191:economics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups
keywords: Adolescents; Children; Parents; Poverty; Respiratory illness; Support needs