Aimee L Speck1, Belinda Nelson2, S Olivia Jefferson2, Alan P Baptist3. 1. Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: aleyton@med.umich.edu. 2. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 3. Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic condition that shows significant health disparities among minority populations. Little research has focused on the management needs and preferences of young African American adults with asthma, a population undergoing dramatic life changes as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To understand the experiences and perspectives of young African American adults managing their asthma. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with African American adults (n = 34) 18 to 30 years old with a physician diagnosis of asthma. Focus group sessions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and coded using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Six major domains were identified and some of the salient themes included changes in asthma management needs with the onset of adulthood, career limitations owing to asthma, childcare interference with asthma regimen adherence, and difficulties with medication cost owing to lapses in insurance coverage. Participants also reported feeling discouraged when interacting with physicians as it related to their asthma care; yet ageism and racism were not perceived. Despite poor medication regimen compliance, participants were overwhelmingly interested in participating in asthma self-management programs and had strong preferences that such programs be tailored specifically to young adults with special consideration of the cultural experience of young African Americans with asthma. CONCLUSION: Young African American adults have specific barriers to optimal asthma care and distinctive ideas for self-management programs. It is important for the asthma care provider to identify and address these population- and age-specific barriers to improve asthma outcomes and decrease health care disparities.
BACKGROUND:Asthma is a common chronic condition that shows significant health disparities among minority populations. Little research has focused on the management needs and preferences of young African American adults with asthma, a population undergoing dramatic life changes as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To understand the experiences and perspectives of young African American adults managing their asthma. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with African American adults (n = 34) 18 to 30 years old with a physician diagnosis of asthma. Focus group sessions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and coded using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Six major domains were identified and some of the salient themes included changes in asthma management needs with the onset of adulthood, career limitations owing to asthma, childcare interference with asthma regimen adherence, and difficulties with medication cost owing to lapses in insurance coverage. Participants also reported feeling discouraged when interacting with physicians as it related to their asthma care; yet ageism and racism were not perceived. Despite poor medication regimen compliance, participants were overwhelmingly interested in participating in asthma self-management programs and had strong preferences that such programs be tailored specifically to young adults with special consideration of the cultural experience of young African Americans with asthma. CONCLUSION: Young African American adults have specific barriers to optimal asthma care and distinctive ideas for self-management programs. It is important for the asthma care provider to identify and address these population- and age-specific barriers to improve asthma outcomes and decrease health care disparities.
Authors: Kristen Pickles; Daniela Eassey; Helen K Reddel; Louise Locock; Susan Kirkpatrick; Lorraine Smith Journal: Health Expect Date: 2017-08-02 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Anitha S John; Jamie L Jackson; Philip Moons; Karen Uzark; Andrew S Mackie; Susan Timmins; Keila N Lopez; Adrienne H Kovacs; Michelle Gurvitz Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2022-03-17 Impact factor: 6.106
Authors: Ping Yein Lee; Ai Theng Cheong; Sazlina Shariff Ghazali; Hani Salim; Jasmine Wong; Norita Hussein; Rizawati Ramli; Hilary Pinnock; Su May Liew; Nik Sherina Hanafi; Ahmad Ihsan Abu Bakar; Azainorsuzila Mohd Ahad; Yong Kek Pang; Karuthan Chinna; Ee Ming Khoo Journal: NPJ Prim Care Respir Med Date: 2021-07-07 Impact factor: 2.871
Authors: Jennifer R Mammen; Kelsey Turgeon; Ashley Philibert; Judith D Schoonmaker; James Java; Jill Halterman; Marc N Berliant; Amber Crowley; Marina Reznik; Jonathan M Feldman; Robert J Fortuna; Kimberly Arcoleo Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2020-10-18 Impact factor: 5.018
Authors: Clare Miles; Emily Arden-Close; Mike Thomas; Anne Bruton; Lucy Yardley; Matthew Hankins; Sarah E Kirby Journal: NPJ Prim Care Respir Med Date: 2017-10-09 Impact factor: 2.871