• Antonio Riera, Agueda Ocasio, Patricia Goncalves, Lauren Krumeich, Karol H Katz, Sandra Trevino, and Federico E Vaca.
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT , USA .
• J Asthma. 2015 Feb 1; 52 (1): 71-80.

ObjectiveTo assess limited English proficiency (LEP) asthma caregiver quality of life (QoL), skills retention and healthcare utilization after an asthma education fair (AEF).MethodsA language concordant AEF was conducted at a Latino community center. LEP caregivers of children 1-12 years old and an established asthma diagnosis participated in three skill stations: (a) medication recognition and administration, (b) peak flow use (if child ≥ 5 years) and (c) action plan dissemination. Spacers, peak flow meters and individualized action plans were distributed. A validated, pediatric asthma caregiver quality of life questionnaire (PACQLQ-Spanish version) was administered. Baseline data was compared to follow-up interview data at three and six months after the AEF. Mean PACQLQ scores were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test and nominal paired data with McNemar's test.ResultsWe analyzed data from 18 caregivers able to speak English well (22%), not well (28%) or not at all (50%). After three months, improved caregiver QoL was experienced (51 vs. 72, p<0.01). No differences were observed in medication recognition, spacer and peak flow use or peak flow interpretation. After six months, mean school days missed due to asthma decreased (4.1 vs. 0.4, p<0.01). Mean clinic visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations remained unchanged.ConclusionsImplementation of a community-based AEF with action plan administration can be beneficial for LEP caregivers and their children. QoL improvements to emotional wellbeing and activity limitations were observed, and lower rates of school absenteeism were reported. Caregiver ability to accurately identify medications was not enhanced.

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