Outcomes of the Montana Asthma Home Visiting Program: A home-based asthma education program

ABSTRACT

Objective: Asthma is a common disease in children. Home-based, multi-trigger, multi-component interventions with an environmental focus have been shown to be effective to address asthma in children. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes and feasibility of implementing a specific asthma home visiting (HV) program in a rural area. Methods: Children aged 0–17 years with uncontrolled asthma were enrolled in an asthma HV program that included six contacts over a 12-month period delivered by a registered nurse specifically trained in asthma education and trigger removal in eleven counties in the rural state of Montana. Between June 2010 and December 2016, data on asthma symptoms and asthma self-management skills were collected at baseline and throughout the program. In June 2017, they were analyzed to assess changes in asthma control and quality of life over time among participants completing all six contacts. Results: Since June 2010, 152 of 338 enrolled children completed all six contacts outlined in the program (45%). Participants who completed the program reported significant improvements in asthma control test scores, self-management skills, and self-efficacy related to asthma management. These results improved the longer participants remained in the program. Conclusions: These findings suggest that it is feasible to implement a 12-month HV program using local public health resources in a rural area as outcomes improved over this time period.

KEYWORDS:

• Environment
• public health
• rural
• self-management
• triggers

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the hard working HV nurses who performed all of the home visits and diligently collected program data to support this study. We would also like to thank all of the MACP staff who have contributed to the ongoing success of this program over the years.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the State of Montana and through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch (CDC-RFA-EH14-1404). The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.