Asthma and respiratory dysfunction among urban, primarily Hispanic school children

Dona Schneider, Natalie C.G. Freeman, Patricia Mcgarvey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A screening program identified children with poorly managed asthma or respiratory dysfunction. Children in grades 2-5 in all Passaic, New Jersey, schools were eligible for screening with questionnaires and a biometric test. Those with risk factors or failed biometric screening were referred to primary care providers. Of the 6,579 eligible children, 3,657 (56%) had parental questionnaires returned and 3,834 (58%) were biometrically screened. Over the 4-yr study period, 6-22% of children were previously diagnosed with asthma. Approximately 20% of children demonstrated peak flow measures <75% of predicted values. Predictors of a prior diagnosis of asthma and a medical treatment plan for asthma management were health care coverage and ethnicity. Predictors of peak flow test failure were the presence of roaches and mold in the home, pesticide use, and a family member with asthma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4-13
Number of pages10
JournalArchives of Environmental Health
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Environmental Science
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Keywords

  • Childhood asthma
  • Hispanic populations
  • Respiratory dysfunction
  • School-based screening

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Asthma and respiratory dysfunction among urban, primarily Hispanic school children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this