The impact of a summer asthma camp experience on asthma education and morbidity in children.

BACKGROUND

This study examines whether an educational program emphasizing self-management skills can be successfully implemented in an asthma camp setting, and the degree to which this camp experience would affect asthma-associated morbidity among children attending such a program.

METHODS

Ninety asthmatic children between the ages of 6 and 12 years who were attending a summer asthma camp were enrolled in the study. A precamp questionnaire was sent to the parents of these children to assess asthma morbidity during the preceding 12 months and to determine the prevalence of the use of peak flow meters and spacer devices by their children. At camp, children received educational sessions on asthma self-management, including training in the proper use of spacer devices and peak flow meters. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to the parents at 1 and 6 months after camp to assess the use of these devices and to measure subsequent asthma morbidity.

RESULTS

Precamp use of spacer devices among all participants was 51.9%; the 1-month and 6-month post-camp use of spacer devices significantly increased to 92.4% (P < .001) and 85.9% (P < .001), respectively. The precamp use of peak flow meters was 50.0%; the 1-month and 6-month postcamp use was increased to 95.0% (P < .001) and 87.7% (P < .001), respectively. Six-month follow-up revealed a significant decrease in urgent outpatient visits for asthma exacerbations and a significant decrease in school day absences due to asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

An asthma camp is an effective environment for a patient education program emphasizing self-management skills. Children with moderate to severe asthma who attend such a camp may experience a decrease in subsequent asthma-associated morbidity.