Parent-Reported Environmental Exposures and Environmental Control Measures for Children With Asthma

Abstract

Exposure to potential environmental triggers is common, and recommended trigger avoidance measures are infrequently adopted. While specific exposures may vary with demographic and socioeconomic variables, all children are at risk. New methods for educating parents to reduce such exposures should be tested.

Communication and education about triggers and environmental control strategies during pediatric asthma visits

“…This is consistent with other research conducted in relatively rural areas where more activities may naturally occur outdoors [21]. Our results of environmental triggers discussed in 35–86% of visits is wider than that reported by studies using self-report or medical records, which indicate that triggers and environmental control are discussed in 42% to 61% of visits with providers [6, 10, 11]. …”

Determination of factors affecting the quality of life in children with asthma

“…A statistically significant difference was found between the mean symptom subscale and quality of life total scores of the children whose asthma symptoms were triggered by cockroaches and the mean symptom subscale and quality of life total scores of the children whose asthma symptoms werenot affected by cockroaches (p < 0.05). There are studies that found positive correlation between cockroach allergen and asthma symptoms [20,26]. The children who are affected by cockroach stimuli are rare, but our results are similar to the results of the other studies on the subject, the mean total quality of life and symptom subscale scores were found as high.…”

Household exposure factors, asthma, and school absenteeism in a predominantly Hispanic community

“…The significant environmental factors associated with asthma in this study have also been found in other studies (Rylander and Etzel, 1999;Lanphear et al, 2001;Finkelstein et al, 2002). Finkelstein et al (2002) reported lower rates of household pests and smokers in their pool of 638 asthmatics than we found across all children in Passaic.…”