Effect of environmental interventions to reduce exposure to asthma triggers in homes of low-income children in Seattle

J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol. 2004:14 Suppl 1:S133-43. doi: 10.1038/sj.jea.7500367.

Abstract

The effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs) assisting families in reducing exposure to indoor asthma triggers has not been studied. In all, 274 low-income asthmatic children were randomly assigned to high- or low-intensity groups. CHWs visited all homes to assess exposures, develop action plans and provide bedding encasements. The higher-intensity group also received cleaning equipment and five to nine visits over a year focusing on asthma trigger reduction. The asthma trigger composite score decreased from 1.56 to 1.19 (Delta=-0.37, 95% CI 0.13, 0.61) in the higher-intensity group and from 1.63 to 1.43 in the low-intensity group (Delta=-0.20, 95% CI 0.004, 0.4). The difference in this measure due to the intervention was significant at the P=0.096 level. The higher-intensity group also showed improvement during the intervention year in measurements of condensation, roaches, moisture, cleaning behavior, dust weight, dust mite antigen, and total antigens above a cut point, effects not demonstrated in the low-intensity group. CHWs are effective in reducing asthma trigger exposure in low-income children. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of specific interventions and structural improvements on asthma trigger exposure and health.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution, Indoor / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Antigens / analysis
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Asthma / prevention & control*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cockroaches
  • Community Health Workers*
  • Dust
  • Education
  • Female
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Hygiene*
  • Male
  • Poverty
  • Urban Population
  • Washington

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Dust