Open Airways For Schools (OAS)
LUZ DALIA SANCHEZ MHA, PhD
Manager Lung Health Programs
APRIL 30, 2013
AGENDA
• About the ALA
• Introduction to OAS
• OAS Program
About the
American 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%
70%
28%
2%
59%
9.1
7-12
19%
Received Medicaid
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic blacks
Other groups
Male
Mean Age
Age Range
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 EncouragementGrow
1.
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Took more steps to manage their asthma
Improved their academic performance
Fewer and less severe asthma episodes
School environment became more supportive
Other children were more willing to help their peers with asthma
Children with asthma were able to empathize and give support to
each other
Education and materials provided for the children to take home to
parent- knowledge and skills increase for parents in asthma
management for child
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
CAN OAS BE USED FOR OTHER AGE
GROUPS?
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
INSTRUCTOR ROLE
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
HOW IS THE OAS IMPLEMENTED?
A.
B.
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
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
KEY POINTS FOR CURRICULUM
What are the key points of the curriculum?
A.
Throughout all 6 lessons are 5 basic health messages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Asthma is treatable
Asthma symptoms don’t have to be a crisis
Prescribed medications should be taken at the first signs of
symptoms or the 1st sign of a cold
Solutions to problems can be found
A child with asthma should live as normal and active life as
possible
THE SIX LESSONS OF OAS
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