BACKGROUND: The burden of asthma falls disproportionately on children from New Zealand's Pacific communities. Guidelines recommend pictorial resources but these have not been evaluated in this population. AIMS: Evaluate a pictorial asthma medication plan focusing on regular 'everyday' inhaler use and a signs and symptoms sheet for Pacific children; the primary outcome measure was continued use of resources after 6 months. METHODS: Resources were provided to families with face-to-face education at a general practice or inpatient setting in West Auckland. A questionnaire about the resources was completed after 6 weeks, and an audit regarding use after 6 months. RESULTS: Data from 48 children were analysed (Samoan, n=31); 45 English and 22 first language versions (Samoan, Tongan, Tuvaluan) were used; median time to questionnaire completion was 48 days. The pictorial asthma medication plan was acceptable to families, effective at reinforcing the importance of 'everyday' inhalers, and a reminder for regular use; the signs and symptoms sheets were informative and improved self-efficacy; 93% of families were using the resources after 6 months. An increase in 'everyday' inhaler use was observed after education. CONCLUSION: The resources were effective at improving inhaler knowledge and supporting symptom recognition. A 'less-is-more' approach, pictorial format, and first language availability are characteristics that may benefit other ethnicities.
BACKGROUND: The burden of asthma falls disproportionately on children from New Zealand's Pacific communities. Guidelines recommend pictorial resources but these have not been evaluated in this population. AIMS: Evaluate a pictorial asthma medication plan focusing on regular 'everyday' inhaler use and a signs and symptoms sheet for Pacific children; the primary outcome measure was continued use of resources after 6 months. METHODS: Resources were provided to families with face-to-face education at a general practice or inpatient setting in West Auckland. A questionnaire about the resources was completed after 6 weeks, and an audit regarding use after 6 months. RESULTS: Data from 48 children were analysed (Samoan, n=31); 45 English and 22 first language versions (Samoan, Tongan, Tuvaluan) were used; median time to questionnaire completion was 48 days. The pictorial asthma medication plan was acceptable to families, effective at reinforcing the importance of 'everyday' inhalers, and a reminder for regular use; the signs and symptoms sheets were informative and improved self-efficacy; 93% of families were using the resources after 6 months. An increase in 'everyday' inhaler use was observed after education. CONCLUSION: The resources were effective at improving inhaler knowledge and supporting symptom recognition. A 'less-is-more' approach, pictorial format, and first language availability are characteristics that may benefit other ethnicities.