A Comparison of Knowledge about Asthma Between Asians and Non-Asians at Two Pediatric Clinics

Abstract

Little is known about the relative knowledge of asthma in recent immigrant Asian populations in the United States (US). To comparatively assess asthma knowledge for Asian and non-Asian populations, 333 parents and children were surveyed at two geographically close urban clinics that had a large percentage of Asian patients, most of whom were Chinese. The Asian respondents scored lower compared to the non-Asian respondents on 4 of the 6 knowledge questions (p < 0.001). Subcategories of non-Asians (white, African-American, Hispanic) were more similar to each other than they were to Asians. In multivariate analysis we found that SES (measured as parental occupation) and being Asian were independent predictors of less asthma knowledge. Having family members with asthma did not improve knowledge scores. A single focus group of Cantonese-speaking parents of asthmatic children suggested that a combination of cultural factors and lack of knowledge contribute to lower knowledge scores in this Asian population. Asthma education programs need to be developed, tailored to recent Asian immigrants and tested for efficacy.

Pediatric Asthma Among Small Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups: An Analysis of the 2006-2015 National Health Interview Survey

“…15 Other studies also found a higher burden of asthma among AI/AN and/or Filipino children, with multiple underlying socioeconomic and health access factors, such as high hospitalization costs, inadequate asthma knowledge, and poor asthma management. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Our study suggests the need for further studies of these small minority groups to understand and intervene on asthma outcomes in diverse racial/ethnic groups. 1.0 (1.0-1.0) 1.0 (1.0-1.0) 0.9 (0.9-0.9)…”

Development and validation of an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in Brazil

“…2010;36(1): [8][9][10][11][12][13] appropriate and intelligible to the target population, similar to questionnaires validated for use in other countries. (10,11,15) The questionnaire meets the criterion of content/face validity.…”

“…However, translating a questionnaire is difficult, and such a translation might not be suitable for all populations, since medical terminology and practices, as well as knowledge about asthma, differ among populations. (11)(12)(13)(14) Brazil is a large country with five distinct regions (southern, southeastern, central-west, northeastern, and northern), each with distinct habits and cultures. In order to avoid regional biases, experts from all regions were consulted so that the questionnaire would be suitable for all patients in Brazil.…”

“…In addition, the knowledge of asthma differs among the various cultures and countries, and specific questionnaires and programs should therefore be developed to meet different needs. (11)(12)(13)(14) The objective of this study was to develop a reliable self-report asthma knowledge questionnaire that would be valid for use in adult asthma patients in Brazil.…”

Community-based Participatory Research Is Needed to Address Pulmonary Health Disparities

“…The Healthy Public Housing Initiative partnered with the Boston Housing Authority to implement policy and sustainable programs to reduce exposure to asthma triggers in public housing units in Boston. The Boston Chinatown Asthma Studies (36,(43)(44)(45) developed asthma terminology that previously did not exist in Cantonese and improved communication with asthma-affected families. For almost 2 decades, Community Action Against Asthma (46-51) has led CBPR initiatives to enhance understanding of asthma in low-income neighborhoods in Detroit and has implemented programs that reduce indoor asthma triggers; it is currently is investigating the effects of outdoor triggers such as vehicle emissions and exposure to highways.…”