Asthma prevalence and management in Australian adolescents: results from three community surveys

J Adolesc Health. 1992 Dec;13(8):707-12. doi: 10.1016/1054-139x(92)90068-m.

Abstract

Three population surveys of asthma, conducted as part of a community-based asthma education program in southwestern Sydney, Australia, illustrate the relationship between health behaviors and asthma morbidity. The first survey was carried out in five secondary schools (n = 2514, 52% participation rate); the second survey, in eight schools (n = 4550, 82% participation rate); and, the third survey was conducted among patients who attended 38 general practices in the region (n = 633 adolescents, 72% participation rate). The prevalence of diagnosed asthma in Australian adolescents across all three studies was 16.5% (95% CI, 15.7%-17.3%). Asthma prevalence declined in males, but increased in females from ages 12-15 years. It was noted that smoking prevalence was similar in asthmatic adolescents, compared with nonasthmatics, and that the adoption of smoking occurred at similar ages. Further, behavioral self-management of asthma was infrequent in this group, with low levels of preventive practice and preventive medication use. We present a conceptual model of the barriers to optimal asthma management among asthmatic adolescents. The results of these surveys have led to community-wide efforts to improve asthma management and decrease smoking prevalence among these adolescents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / therapy
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Self Care
  • Smoking / epidemiology