Effect of Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis on Health Utilization and Education Progress in Children and Adolescents.

• Main Author: Jenkins, Bradlee A.
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2013
• Subjects: Medicine and Health Sciences; Nursing
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/108; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1112&context=honors

Aims. To determining the effect of asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), and both on healthcare utilization, absences from school, and rate of progress in school. Background. Previous studies on academic progression and health care utilization in children with the respiratory diseases of asthma and CF have been limited or conflicting. Design. Non experimental, cross-sectional, secondary data analysis using a multilevel probability sample. Methods. The response of all persons under 18 years of age in the U.S. 1997-2012 National Health Interview Survey to interviewer questions on demographic, educational, and health care utilization items were analyzed. The mean and 95% confidence intervals for these variables were compared for children with asthma, CF, and controls. Results/Findings. Children with asthma, CF, or both had a higher utilization of all major types of healthcare services than children with neither of these conditions. Children with asthma or CF were more likely to have not only poor health, but more rapid declines in recent health with the greatest decline in those with both conditions. The number of missed school days was also higher, and highest in children with both CF and asthma. Despite the many missed school days, children with asthma paradoxically had a greater rate of progression in school than those without asthma. Those with CF or CF with asthma had a slower rate. Conclusion. Asthma in CF has a negative impact on attendance and progress in school largely opposite that of asthma alone.