THE PREVALENCE OF asthma in 2005 wa

THE PREVALENCE OF asthma in 2005 was estimated at 7.7% (22.2 million); 8.9% of children (6.5 million) had asthma compared with 7.2% of adults (15.7 million; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005). In 2008, just more than 10 million children within the United States were reported as ever having a diagnosis of asthma, and more 0 than million reported experiencing an asthma episode or attack during the previous 12 months (CDC, 2005). It is estimated that most classrooms contain two to four children with asthma each year (Neuharth-Pritchett & Getch, 2001). 0 With children spending as much as 30% of their day at school, the likelihood of these children experiencing a severe or life—threatening exacerbation at school is highly likely (Olympia, Wan, & Avner, 2005). Even children with long periods or normal lung function and well-controlled asthma are still at risk for severe or life~threatening exacerbations, e just like children‘ who are poorly controlled (Baker, Friedman; & Schmitt, 2002). School teachers need to have the ability to recognize early signsgand symptoms of respiratory distress in the classroom and seek appropriate treatment. The delay of such necessary treatment can have serious or even deadly consequences (Sander, 2002). Younger children in elementary schools are the most vulnerable and are dependent upon their teachers for asthma surveillance due to their inability to manage their asthma and their apprehension to communicate their respiratory complaints to the school faculty (Brookes & Jones, 1992). As a result, there is a need for continuous monitoring during the school day, which then becomes the responsibility of the classroom teacher. The shortage of school nurses and the absence of nurses on site have also increased the need for all school teachers and personnel to assist in the management, as well as the monitoring, of children with asthma. The key to effectively managing asthma is the early recognition of symptoms. The safety of these children with chronic illnesses in the classroom depends greatly upon the knowledge level of the teacher (Barrett, 2001). The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the level of knowledge among elementary school teachers concerning asthma knowledge and management. The specific question was as follows: What level of knowledge do elementary school teachers possess concerning the care of children with asthma?