Date Available

4-29-2020

Year of Publication

2020

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Leslie Scott

Clinical Mentor

Dr. McKenzie Mattingly

Committee Member

Dr. Dianna Inman

Abstract

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic condition to affect children in the United States Five million children throughout the United States and approximately 112, 000 children in Kentucky are living with the diagnosis of asthma (CDC, 2017; CHFS, 2017). Based on current rates 1 out of 10 elementary school-age students will likely have asthma (CDC, 2019). Educating elementary-age students about asthma and symptoms of an asthma exacerbation is very important and could save a life.

Methods: A school-based asthma education program targeting children in third and fourth grades was implemented at two elementary schools in Central Kentucky. The asthma education was conducted during student’s physical education/health classes. Program effectiveness was measured with the use of the Asthma Knowledge Test for 8-10-year-olds pre-intervention and post-intervention.

Results: A total of 71 students participated in the program. A paired t-test was used to compare pre-test scores on the Asthma Knowledge Test for 8-10-year-olds with the post-test scores. There was a statistically significant difference in pre-test/post-test scores (p< 0.001).

Discussion: Asthma affects many school-ae children. It is important for classmates to have a basic understanding of asthma exacerbation symptoms to help ensure a safe school-environment for children with asthma. The school-based asthma education program was a useful tool to increase overall asthma knowledge in children ages 8-10-years-old.

Conclusion: The school-based asthma education program was effective in increasing overall asthma knowledge among 8-10-year-old children. This study can be used to help schools develop their own asthma education programs to provide information for students to quickly recognize symptoms of an acute asthma exacerbation in a peer and get them the help they need as soon as possible.

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