Asthma education program for First Nations children: an exemplar of the knowledge-to-action framework.

Background: The prevalence of asthma in Aboriginal children is 6% to 14%. Gaps in knowledge regarding asthma and its management exist in First Nations (FN) communities, and culturally relevant education and resources are required. Studies have recommended that the children's asthma education program, the 'Roaring Adventures of Puff', be modified through partnership with FN communities to be culturally appropriate.

Online support for children with asthma and allergies.

Children with asthma and allergies experience social isolation and gaps in social support particularly from peers. The objective of this pilot study was to design and test an accessible online support intervention for these children. Children (n = 27) aged 7 to 11 from across Canada participated.

Impacts of online peer support for children with asthma and allergies: It just helps you every time you can't breathe well".

Children with asthma and allergies experience social isolation and gaps in social support particularly from peers. The objective of this pilot study was to design and test an accessible online support intervention for these children. Support was delivered by peer mentors with asthma and allergies and a professional.

Support needs and preferences of young adolescents with asthma and allergies: "just no one really seems to understand".

The objectives of this study were to identify support needs, support resources, and support barriers for young adolescents with asthma and allergies and to describe preferences for an accessible support intervention. Adolescents (N = 57) completed a survey questionnaire. Eight young adolescents, 10 parents, and 5 older adolescents participated in separate group interviews.

Impact of online support for youth with asthma and allergies: pilot study.

Youth with asthma and allergies often feel isolated and different from their peers. The objective of this study was to test the impact of online social support for these youth. Three months of support was provided using weekly synchronous chat sessions.

Online solutions to support needs and preferences of parents of children with asthma and allergies.

Many families of children with asthma and allergies experience support deficits and isolation. However, support interventions have not been designed to meet their needs. Consequently, parents' intervention preferences were elicited, and an online peer support group intervention was designed based on these preferences and piloted in the study described.

"I want to meet other kids like me": support needs of children with asthma and allergies.

Context: Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and the leading cause of hospitalization in young children. Asthma negatively impacts physical health, psychosocial wellbeing, and quality of life for affected children but the psychosocial support needs of children with asthma and severe have not been studied from their point of view.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the support and education needs and preferred interventions of allergic children with asthma and/or severe allergies.

A children's asthma education program: Roaring Adventures of Puff (RAP), improves quality of life.

Background: It is postulated that children with asthma who receive an interactive, comprehensive education program would improve their quality of life, asthma management and asthma control compared with children receiving usual care.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and impact of 'Roaring Adventures of Puff' (RAP), a six-week childhood asthma education program administered by health professionals in schools.

Methods: Thirty-four schools from three health regions in Alberta were randomly assigned to receive either the RAP asthma program (intervention group) or usual care (control group).

A child's asthma quality of life rating does not significantly influence management of their asthma.

Background: Children of parents who perceive their children have increased asthma severity use more medical services and reliever medication.

Methods: A randomized control trial of the Roaring Adventures of Puff (RAP) education program was completed among 287 grade 2-5 children with asthma. Parents and children completed a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire pre-intervention, 6 and 12 months post-intervention.

Advances in development and evaluation of asthma education programs.

Purpose Of Review: Effective asthma education requires more than merely providing information on asthma. Behavior change and learning principles must be incorporated into educational programs. However, there remains much debate and research about the most effective strategies to educate people to deal effectively with their asthma.

Developing a school asthma policy.

Schools are faced with the challenging mandate of addressing the learning needs of students while simultaneously managing a gamut of behavior and health problems. School health policies have been successfully used for many health-related issues. Although asthma is the most common chronic disease among children, schools receive only a small amount of support to manage asthma issues.