ASTHMA EDUCATION IN PRESCHOOLS

1. ASTHMA EDUCATION IN PRESCHOOLS Kristin Kalina, CPN, MS May 1, 2006 Pediatric Pulmonary Center University of Arizona

2. OBJECTIVES • Highlight National and Local Statistics regarding Children Attending Preschool • Discuss Prevalence of Asthma among Preschoolers • Outline Needs Assessment findings from Tucson Preschools • Present Teaching Tools Developed for Local Preschools • Provide Future Recommendations to Further the Success of this Project

3. Children in Preschool • Over 130 “Center-based Early Childhood Care and Education Centers” in the Tucson Area • 8.7 Million Children in a Child Care Arrangement Quest/DEX Tucson Area Phonebook, 2005 U.S Department of Education, 2002

4. Children in Preschool (cont.) • 1999 – 73% of children <5 yrs with employed parents in a care arrangement other than care by a parent U.S Department of Education, 2002

5. Preschool Children with Asthma • 2003 – 4 million children < 18 yrs had an asthma attack in the past 12 months • One of the most common chronic diseases of childhood • #1 cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease • 8.6% of Children <5 years have Asthma • 1,177,472 with asthma = 59.3 per 1,000 children • 838,226 with an asthma attack or episode = 42.2 per 1,000 children • Children 0-5 Years Make up 27% of Children with Asthma American Lung Association, 2004 National Center for Health, 2005 & Aging Society Organization, n.d.

6. Asthma Among Arizona’s Preschoolers • Hospital Discharge Data • 2000 – 39% of Asthma Discharges were Patients 14 Years or Younger • 2001 – Decreased to 35% • 1.4 Million Children in Arizona – 27% of the Total Population • 49.3% of the Population Categorized as Minority • Over 170,000 (18%) of Children Live Below the National Poverty Level Arizona Department of Health Services, 2005 National Bureau of Statistics, 2000

7. Asthma Among Arizona’s Preschoolers • 8 Facilities Surveyed • All Licensed • 6 Linked to National Organizations • 470 children, 60 using “Asthma” medications = 13%

8. Needs Assessment Findings • Teachers Lacking any Formal Education on Asthma and Medication Administration • No Asthma Action Plans in Place, “Standard” Medication Administration Consent Form Used • Directors Very Interested in Receiving Information, Specifically asked for materials on: • Disease Process • Symptoms • Triggers and Ways to Prevent “Attacks” • Medication Administration • Nebulizers • Inhalers & Spacers • Use of Asthma Action Plan

9. Educational Materials Developed • Asthma Information Sheet • What It Is and what causes it • Signs and Symptoms • Triggers • Symptoms of Asthma • Common Symptoms During an Attack or Exacerbation • Symptoms that Require Immediate Medical Attention • Medication Administration Plan • Administration Sheet specifically for Inhaled Medications • When Parents Should be contacted • Using a Metered Dose Inhaler and Spacer • What Medication is Usually Given • What a Spacer is and why it Should be Used • How to Properly use a Spacer with an Inhaler

10. Educational Materials Developed (cont.) • Using a Nebulizer Machine • What a nebulizer Machine is • Why it Should be used • How to use and clean the machine • Make your Facility Asthma-Friendly • Checklist by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute • Examines Asthma Friendliness of a Child-Care Facility • Want more Information on Asthma? Try One of These Resources • Outline of Web-Based Resources • Listing of Age Appropriate Books on Asthma for Children • Directory of Local Resources

11. Recommendations for the Future • Have Program “SUCCEEDS” Certified • Developed Specifically for Preschool and Childcare Providers • Contact: Child & Family Resources, 2800 E. Broadway • Provide Educational Materials in Spanish • Offer Hands-On Training for Administration of Medications • Make Materials Available On-Line for Broader Distribution – to Include Home Based Systems

12. QUESTIONS?