Asthma Surveillance and Education in Preschool Settings

BACKGROUND:

Proposed is a non-randomized, controlled, prospective trial to test the efficacy of a
bilingual intervention to improve asthma care for low-income inner-city children enrolled in
subsidized preschool childcare programs. Because of high rates of asthma prevalence,
subsidized preschool childcare programs offer ideal settings to test innovative strategies
to improve asthma care within communities at highest risk of morbidity.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

The study will comprise three arms. Arm 1 is surveillance, in which children with asthma are
identified. In Arm 2, children with asthma are identified and given written Asthma Action
Plans (monitoring). Arm 3 consists of surveillance, monitoring, and education.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Enrolled in specific subsidized preschools in New York City

- 2.8 to 4 years old

- Persistent asthma as defined by symptom reports

- Use of quick-relief agents or controller medications

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of intubation