An assessment of the effectiveness of an asthma education in service program for elementary school teachers

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness (Adams & Marano, 1995; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1995). As children with asthma enter school, their teachers may become involved in helping them manage their asthma. Research literature review reveals few studies on teachers’ knowledge of asthma, or on the effectiveness of asthma education programs. The American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania conducted an asthma education inservice program for elementary school teachers as part of their School Asthma Initiative. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of this inservice program. Malcolm Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory was the conceptual framework for this study. Thirty-six elementary school teachers participated in the study. Teachers’ asthma knowledge was tested using an identical Asthma IQ pretest and posttest. The teachers had a significant increase in their scores on the tests taken after the inservice program (p<0.01).

Responses to a researcher written survey revealed that although at least 60% of teachers reported having students with asthma, and almost one-half of teachers had previously had to assist a student with asthma symptoms, only two teachers had ever attended an asthma education program. Nearly all of the teachers perceived that they should have some role in assisting students to manage their asthma.

Children with asthma need proper support at school (National Institute of Health, 1997). Recognizing teachers, at least in part, as caregivers of children with asthma, and asthma, and networking in community based organizations to participate in asthma education programs, offers the nurse practitioner another opportunity for education.