Asthma Education and its Impact on Emergency Department Visits by Asthmatic Children

Abstract
Background: Asthma is a public health problem in all countries irrespective of their level of development, being generally under-diagnosed and undertreated, and most asthmarelated deaths commonly occurs in low-income and lowermiddle income countries. Children rely heavily on their parents for asthma management. Therefore, asthma education needs to target the entire family. There is a need for ongoing asthma education, increased sensitivity to complex home management, and family-centered interventions by caregivers of asthmatic children that enhance communication and collaboration between caregivers and providers.
Aim of Study: This study is aiming at evaluating the effects of an education program on the emergency department visits by asthmatic children.
Patients and Methods: Was a clinical trial study which has been conducted at emergency department of children’s teaching hospital Ain Shams teaching hospital during the period of January 2019 to June 2019. The study was conducted on 30 asthmatic pediatric patients aged from 6 months-15 years old with documented asthma diagnosis (intermittent wheezes, breathlessness, dry cough, etc.). The age of patients included in the study ranged between 6 months-15 years. This study investigated an asthma education intervention in pediatric patients aged 6 months-15 years and its effect on emergency room (ER) visits.
Results: The study enrolled 30 pediatric patients. Asthma education was associated with less ER visits, and better identification the signs of a severe asthma attack.
Conclusion: In this study, asthmatic patients who received education about asthma had less ER visits, and feeling more confident about managing asthma.