Journal article
Reduction in asthma morbidity following a community-based asthma self-management programme in Tonga
S Foliaki, T Fakakovikaetau, W D'Souza, S Latu, V Tutone, S Cheng, N Pearce
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease | INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D) | Published : 2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Tonga Asthma Self-management Project assessed whether the introduction of an asthma self-management plan would reduce asthma morbidity. METHODS: The project involved a 'before and after' trial, with each participant serving as his/her own control. Asthma patients used the self-management plan to manage their asthma medication or obtain medical help based on their peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate and/or asthma symptoms. RESULTS: The 110 participants initially had relatively high asthma morbidity: 68% had had an emergency medical visit for asthma in the previous 12 months. Ninety-two (84%) completed the 12-month programme. Emergency doctor visits fell from 66% in the previous 12..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by a grant from the Wellcome Trust for research into the epidemiology of asthma and other non-communicable diseases in the Pacific. The Centre for Public Health Research is supported by a Programme Grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand.