Open Airways For Schools (OAS)

LUZ DALIA SANCHEZ MHA, PhDManager Lung Health Programs

APRIL 30, 2013

AGENDA

• About the ALA• Introduction to OAS• OAS Program

About theAmerican Lung Association

American Lung Association: Mission

• To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease

Who We Are?• Oldest voluntary health organization in US •  Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis• Grassroots organization: national

headquarters (NY & DC), constituents, and affiliates.

•  Over 1,200 staff nationwide

and over 300,000 volunteers

Mission Goals

The American Lung Association mission goals are to:

• Eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related lung diseases

• Improve the air we breathe so it will not cause or worsen lung disease

• Reduce the burden of lung disease on patients and their families

Asthma Goal: To Reduce the Burden of Asthma on Patients and Families

Establish programs involving asthma management, education and awareness at the local school level to:

• Help monitor and control the physical environment 

• Promote self-management• Help identify students with asthma • Train school staff

Asthma Programs for Children

• Open Airways For Schools• Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative• Early Childhood Asthma Programs

OAS: The Beginning

• Developed by researchers at Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University

• Supported by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

•  Recommended by the National Association of School Nurses

• Copyrighted by American Lung Association

The Study: At a Glance

The Population:

• 239 children from 12 NY City public schools

• Criteria for participation:

Enrolled in third, fourth or fifth grade

At least 3 asthma episodes in the last year

Profile of the Study Population

• 71% Received Medicaid• 70% Hispanic• 28% Non-Hispanic blacks• 2% Other groups• 59% Male• 9.1 Mean Age• 7-12 Age Range• 19% Had no source of health care other

than the emergency room

The Results

Change in Annual Days with Symptoms of Asthma

The Results: Summary. Children can..

• Increase self-management skills, self-efficacy and influence on parent’s management decisions

• Improve quality of life and social support from peers

• Improve academic performance

• Reduce frequency of days with symptoms of asthma

Study Citations

• Evans D, Evans D, Clark NM, Feldman CH, Rips J, Kaplan D, Levison MJ, Wasilewski Y, Levin B and Mellins RB: A school health education program for children with asthma aged 8 to 11 years. Health Education Quarterly 1987; 14:267-79.

• Evans D, Clark NM, Levison MJ, Levin B, Mellins RB. Can children teach their parents about asthma? Health Education & Behavior 2001; 28:500-511.

 

 

ASTHMA EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGES 8-11

WHAT IS OPEN AIRWAYS FOR SCHOOLS?

A. The program empowers children ages 8-11 to manage their asthma

B. Teaches children to:

1. Detect asthma warning signs

2. Deal with triggers

3. Prevent/reduce symptoms

4. How to lead healthy and active lives

WHAT IS OPEN AIRWAYS FOR SCHOOLS?

C. Since 1996 OAS has reached more than 450,000 children in 40,000 elementary (K-8) schools.

D. OAS is approved and recommended by the National Association of School Nurses

WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY BEHIND ALAW OAS?

The activities of OAS strengthen children’s confidence in their ability to manage their own asthma include the use of:

1. Role playing to rehearse new skills

2. Story telling to stimulate problem solving

3. Games to practice decision making

4. Artistic expressions to share feelings about asthma

5. Physical activity to learn how to control panicky feelings when asthma symptoms occur

WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL THEORY BEHIND ALAW OAS?

Support, Trust, and EncouragementGrow1. Children grow more interested in the program resulting in their commitment to managing their asthma with the skills they gain from OAS lesson

HOW IS THE OAS TAUGHT?

A. The course consists of six 40-minute group lessons held during the school day

B. Led by trained instructors, who might be the school nurse or other school personnel, parents, community volunteers, or anyone with an asthma background that has an interest in working with children.

C. The OAS classroom kits contain easy-to-use teaching materials including a detailed curriculum guide, posters and activity handouts. Each lesson also includes materials for the children to take home and share with their parents. All curriculum materials are available in English and Spanish

OAS IS EVIDENCE BASED

Pilot program evaluation found that children who participated in OAS:

1. Took more steps to manage their asthma

2. Improved their academic performance

3. Fewer and less severe asthma episodes

4. School environment became more supportive

5. Other children were more willing to help their peers with asthma

6. Children with asthma were able to empathize and give support to each other

7. Education and materials provided for the children to take home to parent- knowledge and skills increase for parents in asthma

management for child

8. Analysis of data collected by 7 ALAA in FY 98-99 reported a decrease in:

-Missed school & work days

-Visits to ER

-Enormous impact for child

& parent

A. OAS curriculum has children take an actual part in the management of their asthma

B. Children less than 8 years old are not developmentally ready for “cause and effect” concept

C. Children older than 11 years old are likely to respond better than learning activities in their social and cognitive development

CAN OAS BE USED FOR OTHER AGE GROUPS?

A. Instructors can be teachers, parents, University students, nurses, and other health care professionals

B. Volunteers attend a thorough training offered by the ALAA to become certified instructors

C. Instructor teaches OAS curriculum at a school site during school day

D. 6 sessions 40 minutes each, can be before/after school, lunch

E. Can also be taught at other established sites (i.e. Boys and Girls Club)

F. Instructor establishes supportive group environment and facilitates

the interactive learning process

G. Highly encouraged that volunteers work in pairs or with a school assistant

INSTRUCTOR ROLE

Q: Does the volunteer/instructor need to be an asthma expert?

A: No, ALASW OAS curriculum is very thorough and easy to follow it includes:

-Detailed instructions

-Premade and printed Handouts

-Posters and directions

INSTRUCTOR ROLE

A. Program advisor provides instructions with list of responsibilities:

-Bringing the teaching kit and all needed materials

-Sign in at school office

-Set up classroom/space accordingly

B. School provides:

-Identifying students ages 8-11 with asthma

-School sends permission slips to each potential student home

-Provides class/space- ideally with chairs, table, and board

Schools requesting OAS should:

Contact:

Phoenix- Luz Dalia Sanchez at: 602-258-7505 Lsanchez@lungarizona.org

HOW IS THE OAS IMPLEMENTED?

What are the key points of the curriculum?

A. Throughout all 6 lessons are 5 basic health messages:

1. Asthma is treatable

2. Asthma symptoms don’t have to be a crisis

3. Prescribed medications should be taken at the first signs of symptoms or the 1st sign of a cold

4. Solutions to problems can be found

5. A child with asthma should live as normal and active life as possible

KEY POINTS FOR CURRICULUM

Lesson 1: Basic Information and feelings about asthma

Lesson 2: Recognizing and managing asthma symptoms assessing

Lesson 3: Solving problems with medicines and symptoms

Lesson 4: Finding and controlling asthma triggers

Lesson 5: Keeping your battery charged and getting enough exercised

Lesson 6: Doing well at school

THE SIX LESSONS OF OAS