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The Effectiveness of a Brief Asthma Education Intervention for Child Care Providers and Primary School Teachers

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Abstract

Limited information exists about management of asthma in child care settings and primary school classrooms. The goal of this study was to evaluate a brief asthma management intervention for child care providers and primary school teachers. Child care providers and primary school teachers were recruited to participate in two 3-h workshops on asthma management and young children. Participants completed pre- and post-test questionnaires on asthma management indicating their ability to recognize symptoms and intervene when necessary. Participants also completed questions assessing their comfort in assisting children with asthma with the children’s social and emotional needs and accessing resources for intervention. Participants were 65 child care providers and primary school teachers. On measures of comfort and efficacy in intervening during a child’s asthma episode, and feelings about advocacy for children with asthma in child care and schools, significant differences in teachers’ comfort, and efficacy were found post-intervention. A brief intervention for community partners may assist in informing non-medically trained personnel about asthma. Such an intervention may ultimately reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes in young children.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this study was provided by the Georgia Systemic Teacher Education Project which was funded by U.S. Department of Education Title II monies. The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Larry Aull, Pharm.D, who provided guidance in the development of the training materials and assisted with delivery of the intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia, 323 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett

  2. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA

    Yvette Q. Getch

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  1. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett
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  2. Yvette Q. Getch
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Correspondence to Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett.

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The authors of this paper have no commercial associations that might create a conflict of interest in connection with submitted manuscripts. No competing financial interests exist.

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Neuharth-Pritchett, S., Getch, Y.Q. The Effectiveness of a Brief Asthma Education Intervention for Child Care Providers and Primary School Teachers. Early Childhood Educ J 44, 555–561 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-015-0751-0

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