The Allergen Reduction and Child Health Study (ARCHS)

Summary

The Allergen Reduction and Child Health Study (ARCHS) is a 12-month, two group randomized control trial of children with asthma and who are exposed to cockroaches. Children ages 5 - 17 living in the Greater New Orleans area will be recruited from a variety of clinic and community settings. The overall goal of the study is to improve patient-centered asthma outcomes (asthma symptom days, health care utilization, asthma control and quality of life) by targeting one key allergen - cockroach exposure in the child's home. The investigators propose a simple intervention of insecticidal bait that is low cost, simple to implement, and which is lower toxicity than other forms of pest control. The reduction in the number of cockroaches in the home is an environmental outcome that is patient-centered and is likely to add to its acceptance by families of children with asthma.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 5 - 17 years; with uncontrolled persistent asthma defined as the child experiencing at least one of the following: one overnight hospitalization for asthma within the past six months OR two unscheduled clinic or emergency department visits for asthma within the last 12 months; and either on a long term controller medication for asthma, or have asthma symptoms 3 or more days per week over the past 2 weeks or nighttime asthma symptoms at least 3 times in the past month exposure to cockroach - defined as trapping at least one cockroach in a 3 day period OR visual evidence of cockroaches by field staff; and the child must sleep in the target home at least 4 nights per week on average. Caregiver ability to speak English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other serious medical or chronic illnesses including chronic respiratory infections that require daily medication, cardiovascular disease that requires daily medication, excluding hypertension, taking a beta-blocker, a current active smoker, currently receiving immunotherapy or plans to move within the 12 month follow-up.

Conditions2

Locations1 site

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