This study seeks to reduce exposure to asthmagens in the homes of a community of Latino children residing in an area of intense agricultural production in Eastern Washington by testing the effectiveness of an intervention (high efficiency particulate air filter- HEPA portable room air cleaners) plus asthma education to reduce indoor measures of particulate matter, ammonia, improve clinically relevant measures of asthma health, and reduce biomarkers of inflammation.
Over the course of five years, this project's specific aims are as follows: 1. Build on a well-established community based participatory research program to engage community partners in the design, implementation and evaluation of this asthma intervention study. 2. Conduct a year-long intervention study with longitudinal measurement of key asthmagen exposures and health outcome indicators with minimal participant burden. 3. Develop and characterize evaluation metrics for the process, impact and outcomes of this project in achievement of the aims. 4. Promote sustainable public health action via positive and transparent communications about the project to participants, local stakeholders, and state level policy makers through broad-based community outreach.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
71
Participants in the intervention group received two HEPA air cleaners per household. They were informed to place the HEPA air cleaners in the child's bedroom and the living room. Field staff provided and discuss how to use the air cleaner which promoted continuous operation of both air cleaners, keeping the child's bedroom door closed, and selected the highest fan speed. Typical use of the HEPA cleaners were questioned during the mid-study and final visits.
Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic
Yakima, Washington, United States
Change in particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentration
Indoor air sampling for PM2.5 collected over a 14-day period. MicroPEM (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) is turn on and left on for 14 days. Measurements collected at beginning and at 1 year after enrollment.
Time frame: 1 year (study period)
Change in ammonia (NH3) concentration
Indoor air sampling for NH3 collected over a 14-day period. Ogawa passive sampler (Ogawa USA, Pompano Beach, Fl, USA) is left open for 14 days. Measurements collected at beginning and at 1 year after enrollment.
Time frame: 1 year (study period)
Asthma Control Test
ACT score using the ACT questionnaire
Time frame: At study enrollment
Clinical utilization
Caregivers were asked if child had a scheduled or unscheduled ("urgent") clinical visit with a doctor or health care provider, emergency department, or overnight hospitalization for asthma symptoms. Number and types of visits are reported.
Time frame: One year (study period)
Inflammatory markers of asthma: Urinary leukotriene
Measured urinary leukotriene concentration and specific gravity in child urine sample. Measurements collected at enrollment, mid-study (4-6 months after enrollment), and end of study (1 year after enrollment)
Time frame: 1 year (study period)
Inflammatory markers of asthma: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide
Portable NIOX VERO (Aerocrine Inc, Stockholm, Sweden) for direct measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide.
Time frame: At study enrollment
Asthma exacerbation
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Reviewed participant medical records for receipt of prescription for a course of oral corticosteroid.
Time frame: One year (study period)
Lung function
Measured lung fuction using EasyOne spirometer (NDD Technologies, Andover, MA). Minimum of three exhalations with acceptable starts, complete exhalation, and no coughs until two exhalations with acceptable repeatability was achieved.
Time frame: At study enrollment