The impact of an urban home-based intervention program on asthma outcomes in children.

OBJECTIVES

This program evaluation examines the outcomes of a multicomponent urban home-based asthma program implemented through a city health department in a large Midwestern city. The purpose of the program was to improve asthma outcomes by controlling indoor asthma triggers in the home environment.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

This was a pre-post evaluation study. Participants received home-based education from a public health nurse or a health educator, cleaning and other supplies, and physical home interventions such as mold abatement and pest control. Asthma outcomes, caregiver quality of life, trigger-related activities, and asthma management activities at baseline and 6 months following the intervention were evaluated using survey data. A total of 115 participants for whom baseline and follow-up data were available were included in this analysis.

MEASURES

This study used parent self-reported quantitative and qualitative data which were collected through baseline and follow-up surveys administered by program staff.

RESULTS

Significant reduction in asthma symptom days, nighttime awakenings, days with activity limitation, and albuterol use were observed. Emergency department visits, missed school days, and caregiver missed work days also were significantly reduced, and caregiver quality of life improved.

CONCLUSIONS

This multifaceted home-based intervention decreased asthma triggers and improved asthma outcomes in children, and improved the quality of life of their caregivers.