Changes in asthma self-management knowledge in inner city adolescents following developmentally sensitive self-management training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of a developmentally sensitive curriculum for improving asthma self-management knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy in adolescents.

METHODS: Fourty-two inner-city adolescents (ages 16-20) participated in a 12hour asthma self-management training program. Self-management knowledge, attitude toward asthma, and asthma-related self-efficacy were measured using short-answer tests before and after training. T-Tests were used to evaluate impact and effect sizes were calculated.

RESULTS: Mean pretest knowledge was 21.37/46 points; mean posttest was 36.33/46 points. Change from pre- to posttest was highly significant (t=10.34; p<0.0001), with a large effect size (d=1.68). Females improved more than males (18.66±8.58 vs. 12.29±8.13, p=0.039). Greatest effects were seen in awareness of long-term consequences of uncontrolled asthma (d=2.04), ability to recognize symptoms of life-threatening asthma (d=1.61), correctly monitor symptoms (d=1.49), and tell if asthma was uncontrolled (d=1.39). Asthma self-efficacy also improved significantly (p=0.017), particularly confidence in ability to correctly manage asthma, however improvements in attitude did not achieve statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: Developmentally appropriate training is effective in increasing critical self-management knowledge and self-efficacy in inner city adolescents, particularly females.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Providers should screen carefully for symptoms and educate using developmentally appropriate training materials on ways to correctly monitor and manage symptom.