Helping African American Children Self-Manage Asthma

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Background
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Literature review
Theoretical framework
Conclusions and recommendations
References

Background

This critique examines the research reported by Kaul (2011) that explored the importance of self-efficacy in the management of asthma. The purpose of this critique is to analyze the weaknesses of the study. This will offer a more informed basis of arguments when making descriptions on adoption or rejection of the procedure. Reports gathered from a single study lack the ability to affect the inherent practices put in place for a specific health practice (Eddy, 1992). Most of the published journal articles do not dwell on the weaknesses of such studies.

Title

The title of the report Helping African American Children Self-Manage Asthma: The Importance of Self-Efficacy adequately identified the population of interest, namely the urban African American children suffering from asthma (Kaul, 2011). Key variables to be addressed in the report were also made explicit in the report title and included the importance of self-efficacy in asthma management and how this segment of the population can be helped to apply self-efficacy in managing asthma. From the title, it was easy to identify the type of study that was conducted. The survey was carried out on a sample population.

Abstract

The main features of the report were presented clearly and concisely in the abstract. The abstract was divided into four major areas namely background, methods, results, and conclusions. This enabled the researcher to highlight all the major areas covered in the study. All the information presented in the paper is highlighted in the abstract section.

Introduction

The researcher presented the problem statement. The researcher documented evidence suggesting the availability of research conducted in this field. He went ahead and identified the gaps in the past research studies. Moreover, a lack of documented information on asthma management studies conducted on children was identified (Kaul, 2011). This statement adequately supported the need for carrying out a study of this nature. The information provided by the study will provide useful medical data. The significance of the study in nursing is that nurses will employ the method in asthma management. This will necessitate further training of the nurses to equip them with the necessary. The quantitative approach used in the study by Kaul (2011) was appropriate in the sense that it was based on a specific group of people. The sample used in carrying out the study was statistically approved to be within the required size (Eddy, 1992).

The research questions to be addressed in the study were explicitly stated as the “extent to which urban African American children managed their asthma and how the children’s self-efficacy beliefs relate to their management of chronic asthma” (Kaul, 2011, p. 29).

Literature review

In examining the literature review conducted by Kaul (2011), it was noted that the majority of the sources used in the review were primary sources. In addition, most of the references included in the report and referred to in the review of the literature were published from 1997 to 2009, indicating synthesis of current evidence on the topic of asthma management.

The information provided in the literature review offered an in-depth analysis of the existence of the problem. The literature review appreciates several initiatives conducted in that field. Most of the studies on asthma management are based on adults. Studies related to children address adult management of asthmatic children. The prevalence of asthma amongst African American children has also been reviewed. Lack of information on how self-management among children can be effective has built the foundation of the study.

Theoretical framework

The author identifies the theoretical framework of the study, namely the importance of self-efficacy in asthma management. A description of the framework has been provided as a narrative and also graphically. However, the author failed to fully implement the framework within the study. For example, the research does not consider other factors that might be aggravating the prevalence of asthma among African Americans. Factors such as logistical, cultural, and financial access to areas with no asthma triggers are of great concern in managing this infection (Waldron, 2007). Besides, the research explores the effectiveness of self-care in managing asthma. Lack of redress on health promotions that would inform the public on the importance of self-care should be addressed. These practices can be fully utilized as strategic methods of handling asthma based on the social cognitive theory (Waldron, 2007). The use of medical personnel, communities, and patients in sensitization can help in attaining the goals of this study.

Conclusions and recommendations

From the above study, the size of the sample was small while the results were overwhelmingly positive. This implies that if any other research study would have applied the same procedure, the results would still be similar. Moreover, this study provided data on self-care analysis among young children. These results meant that the training and sensitization process was greatly needed. However, the data on the outcomes of such sensitization and training exercises were not provided. This data is vital in assessing the applicability of the method (Eddy, 1992). Although minimal data was provided on the expected results, it was adequate in providing the much-needed clinical analysis on the control of asthma.

References

Eddy, D. M. (1992). A manual for assessing health practices and designing practice policies: the explicit approach. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians.

Kaul, T. (2011). Helping African American Children Self-Manage Asthma: The Importance of Self-Efficacy. Journal of School Health 81(1), 29-33.

Waldron, J. (2007). Asthma Care in the Community. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

Click Here To Order Now!