Effectiveness of a Self-management App in Improving the Control of Asthma Among School Adolescents

Uganda experiences high morbidity and costs due to uncontrolled asthma. Poor asthma control in adolescents is partly attributed to inadequate asthma education; indicating that education and self-management programs are essential components of asthma control. Adolescents with poorly controlled asthma are reported to have improved asthma control after using a smart phone application in outpatient setting studies. However, there is paucity of data on the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of smart phone applications in the control of asthma among adolescent secondary school students in low resource settings.

Uganda experiences high morbidity and costs due to uncontrolled asthma. Poor asthma control in adolescents is partly attributed to inadequate asthma education; indicating that education and self-management programs are essential components of asthma control. Adolescents with poorly controlled asthma are reported to have improved asthma control after using a smart phone application in outpatient setting studies. However, there is paucity of data on the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of smart phone applications in the control of asthma among adolescent secondary school students in low resource settings. This study will evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of the "KmAsthma" self-management app in improving the control of asthma among day scholar secondary school adolescents in Kampala City Uganda.

This study is a 6-month cluster randomized, controlled, single-centre, single-blinded, pragmatic parallel trial, with two arms and a primary endpoint of improving the control of uncontrolled asthma measured as change in individual mean scores on the Asthma control questionnaire during a self-management intervention delivered by the "KmAsthma" smartphone app. The study will compare students with uncontrolled asthma in the intervention group using the "KmAsthma" smartphone app (T) with the students in the control arm (C) who will receive no intervention. Data will be analysed by summarizing descriptive statistics; determining odds ratios for asthma control using logistic regression models, using repeated measures ANCOVA for repeated continuous measurements. Permission from CEU and approval from SOMREC and UNCST will be sought. Informed and written consent and assent will sought. Dissemination will be through publications and presentations in local and international conferences. The findings may contribute to filling the gap leading to overall unsatisfactory asthma control in adolescents.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria for Schools:

* Secondary schools in Kampala
* School has existed for more than five years

Exclusion criteria for schools:

* Schools already participating in an asthma related randomised controlled trial

Inclusion criteria for students:

* 12-19 years
* Day scholar student
* Uncontrolled asthma on assessment using Asthma Control Test (ACT score less than 19)
* Self-reported access to a smart phone

Exclusion criteria for students:

* Students already taking part in an asthma-related randomised controlled trial
* Too sick to use the smart phone