Prospective controlled evaluation of the effect of a community based asthma education centre in a multiracial working class neighbourhood.

Ethnic disparities in asthma treatment and outcomes in children aged under 15 years in New Zealand: analysis of national databases

“…The higher rate of hospitalisation and oral steroid use among Mãori and Pacific children found in this study may indicate less frequent use of general practice services by these children until symptoms become severe. A lack of understanding of medicines, ineffective communication with health providers, and other cultural issues 25 can lead to a lack of adherence to prescribed treatment among Mãori and Pacific Peoples, which may in turn lead to failure to pick up prescribed medicines or have the correct number of repeat dispensings. In this study, children were classified into groups based on medicines dispensed to patients; in non-compliant patients this may not reflect the intentions of the prescribing doctor.…”

Promoting the use of Personal Asthma Action Plans: a systematic review

“…32 One study was graded 'A', 28 three were graded 'B', 25,27,30 and the remainder were graded 'C'. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]26,29,31 Participants were people with asthma (or their parents) (n=4438), doctors (n=107) and general practice teams (n=43) ( Table 2). Studies investigated either adults (over 16 years) only, 18,[22][23][24]27,31 adults and children, 19,20,25,29 children only, 26 or children with their health professionals.…”

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]26,29,31 Participants were people with asthma (or their parents) (n=4438), doctors (n=107) and general practice teams (n=43) ( Table 2). Studies investigated either adults (over 16 years) only, 18,[22][23][24]27,31 adults and children, 19,20,25,29 children only, 26 or children with their health professionals. 21,28,30 Most participants had moderate-to-severe asthma 22,28 or were recruited following medical care for acute asthma.…”

“…Studies were published between 1993-2005 in the UK, [24][25][26][27] Australia, 18,20,22,28,29 United States, 21,30 Denmark, 31 Canada, 23 and New Zealand. 19 The methodological quality of these RCTs was assessed for performance, detection and attrition bias, and was graded 'A' (low risk of bias) to 'C' (high risk). 32 One study was graded 'A', 28 three were graded 'B', 25,27,30 and the remainder were graded 'C'.…”

“…21,28,30 Most participants had moderate-to-severe asthma 22,28 or were recruited following medical care for acute asthma. 18,19,21,[23][24][25]29 Studies used various recruitment strategies (Table 2) including general practice registration/attendance, 20,27 hospital admission, 24,25 and questionnaire completion. 26,28,31 Two studies included patients over 70 years of age.…”