January 2008 saw new legislation implanted in Portugal restricting smoking in closed public spaces. As second-hand smoke worsens asthma symptoms, it is important to understand how asthma patients feel this new legislation impacts on their well-being. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample formed of 96 asthma patients who had Pulmonology appointments at the Pulido Valente and Santa Marta Hospitals. All data was collected from a standardised questionnaire with volunteer, anonymous and confidential answers. Epi Info software was used for statistical processing purposes, and the results analysed using the chi-squared test (alpha=5%). 67.7% of the patients polled were exposed to secondhand smoke until December 2007, with a higher percentage in those currently in work. A considerable percentage (39.6%) described positive changes (measured by improved performance of daily life activities, decrease in symptoms or lesser recourse to SOS medication), even though the majority did not recognise any improvement. 81.6% of those who noted positive changes said they were no longer exposed to second-hand smoke with the passing of the new legislation, and 65.8% stated that the smoking ban was the factor responsible for those changes. These results, only two months after the implementation of the legislative ban on smoking in public spaces, underline the importance of approving effective measures to create and enforce smoke-free environments, reducing worsening of symptoms and improving asthma patients' well-being.
Modernization and development have brought better health(and more medical care) for all, except for teenagers. In real life, namely in the primary health care arena, programs tailored for teenagers are rare. Moreover, the acceptance and efficiency of even such rare programs are poor. Thus the question arises: Are we on the right track?Adolescence is the ideal time for promoting good health. But, in providing health care for teenagers, a call for change is well recognized. We need answers to the following questions: What should be done to promote adolescents' health? What are pertinent, adequate and effective programs?We can win the future and develop efficient health promotion programs with adolescents by learning from the past, and correctly reading the present To reach such a goal, a call for the traditional reforms in education, action and research is inevitable. But, for the first time in history, such reforms will require participation not only by professionals and politicians, but by the people.The right track to promote health is the community. More innovative programs must be developed with the active participation of teenagers, based on real community needs and resources.
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