Comparison of early-, late-, and non-participants in a school-based asthma management program for urban high school students
2011

Study on Asthma Management Program Participation Among Urban Teens

Sample size: 1668 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Joseph Christine LM, Saltzgaber Jacquelyn, Havstad Suzanne L, Johnson Christine C, Johnson Dayna, Peterson Edward L, Alexander Gwen, Couper Mick P, Ownby Dennis R

Primary Institution: Henry Ford Health System

Hypothesis

What are the characteristics of early, late, and non-participants in a school-based asthma management program for urban high school students?

Conclusion

Recruitment messages attracted youth with moderate-to-severe asthma, but extending enrollment was costly and resulted in less motivated participants.

Supporting Evidence

  • Participants were younger and more likely to have a diagnosis of asthma compared to non-participants.
  • Early-participants required significantly less staff time for recruitment than late-participants.
  • Late-participants showed poorer compliance with study protocols.

Takeaway

The study looked at why some teens joined an asthma program and found that those with more severe asthma were more likely to participate, but getting more teens to join later was harder and cost more.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from eligible students, comparing characteristics of participants and non-participants using logistic regression.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to differences in characteristics between late-participants and non-participants.

Limitations

The small number of late-participants limited the ability to conduct multivariable analyses.

Participant Demographics

98% of participants were African-American and 74% qualified for free/reduced price lunch.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.01

Confidence Interval

1.7-2.8

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6215-12-141

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