Asthma control strategies in school-aged children: The role of community nursing

Abstract

Background: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases in children and is a major cause of school absenteeism, reduced quality of life, and frequent healthcare utilization. Despite advancements in treatment, poor disease control persists due to inadequate self-management, environmental triggers, and gaps in community support. This study evaluates the effectiveness of structured, nurse-led community interventions in improving asthma control among school-aged children. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in three urban primary schools involving 180 children aged 6-14 years with physician-diagnosed asthma. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention included nurse-led asthma education, inhaler technique training, trigger management, and regular follow-up for six months. Outcomes measured were Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), exacerbation frequency, medication adherence, emergency department visits, and school absenteeism. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, paired t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and logistic regression with a significance level of p