J Sch Health. 2002 Jan;72(1):27-32.

A school-based asthma intervention program in the Buffalo, New York, schools.

Lwebuga-Mukasa J, Dunn-Georgiou E.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Dept. of Medicine, Kaleida Health Buffalo General Division, SUNY, Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 100 High St., Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. jlwebuga@acsu.buffalo.edu

This project investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a school asthma program in reducing asthma exacerbations among school children. In 1997-1998, two schools were selected for a case control pilot study. The intervention required that students with asthma, who needed medication daily at school, must present a written plan from the health care provider. Students with asthma were identified through parent/guardian or school reports. The pilot program was expanded into five schools in 1998-1999. All schools kept records of rescue treatments for asthma episodes. The pilot intervention resulted in an 80% decrease in rescue treatments from 1996-1997 to 1997-1998. In the additional five schools, an overall decrease of 17% occurred in rescue treatments during 1998-2000. Overall, 65% of physicians provided requested Asthma Care Plans (ACP). In two schools, the number of asthma care plans that required anti-inflammatory medications tripled. Preliminary results indicate this school asthma program proved feasible and effective in reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations at school.

PMID: 11871359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]