ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIAN CHILDERN
ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIAN CHILDERN
INTRODUCTION
Asthma is a common respiratory condition that affects many children. It is a chronic condition that can cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. This paper essay explains what exactly aAsthma is and about it being quite common in children compared to earlier. In this research we will also try to cover the causes, consequences, preventions, and treatments.
WHAT, WHO, WHY?
Asthma is a health problem that affects your lungs and makes it hard to breathe. It happens because your airways get swollen and smaller, which makes it tough for air to go in and out of your lungs. Asthma in young children is growing quite common. Asthma can be caused by different things, such as things you are allergic to, doing exercise, breathing in cold air, and getting infections. It is important for parents and caregivers to know how to recognize when a child has asthma and how to help them breathe better by managing the condition. Asthma is a widespread illness that affects many children in Australia (Poulos et al., 2005). Although Asthma affects people of all age but recently it is becoming more common in children. There are much research and finding that contribute to the statistics implying that Asthma is growing more common in children than compared to adults. There are many reasons that cause of children being affected by asthma. This respiratory illness in children has also caused mental pressure in children affected by it and their parents. One of the common causes of asthma and in children is genetic causes. If a child develops allergies that run in the family. If the parents have asthma, then the child is also at the risk of having asthma. Another reason is to have some types of airways or lung infection at a very young age. Polluted environment is also a common cause for children being at a risk of having asthma. Asthma is condition of upmost importance in children. Asthma causes behavioural and emotional effects on children. We need to understand this situation better and try and create a healthy and safe environment for children.
Findings
One of the most common respiratory illnesses among children in Australia is asthma (AIHW 2009). In Australia, it has been estimated that 21% of children ages 0 to 15 have had an asthma diagnosis, but only 11.3% of children in the same age range currently have one (Time Trends and Geographical Variation in Re-Admissions for Asthma in Australia, Table of Contents, n.d.), (AIHW 2009.). Children (1012) are frequently admitted to hospitals due to asthma, one of the most common medical conditions. On a global scale, Australia continues to have a high death rate from asthma (AIHW, n.d.). According to the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data, there were 17 fatalities of children under the age of 15 in 20092010, compared to seven deaths in 20052006 ((Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010).
In Australia, about 10% of kids between 0 to 14 years old had asthma in 2017-2018, which is about 460,000 kids. Kids with disabilities had twice the asthma rate (18%) as kids without disabilities (8.9%). The number of kids with asthma stayed the same between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, around 9.3% to 11% (Australian bureau of statistics2010, ABS 2018).
According to international standards, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland all have rather high prevalences of childhood asthma, according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) (Lai et al. 2009; Pearce et al. 2007). The most recent data on the prevalence of asthma in Australia are from the National Health Survey (NHS) 2004-05. ((Statistics, 2004)) According to this survey, asthma is the most prevalent chronic medical disease among children, and boys are more likely than girls to have it (ABS 2006). According to statistics from ACAM (2008), 11.3% of children in the same age range currently have an asthma diagnosis, compared to an estimated 20.8% of children with asthma who have ever had a diagnosis. The frequency of childhood asthma appears to have plateaued after rising throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, according to a comparison of results from the 2004-2005 NHS with those reported in a comparable survey in 2001(Statistics). According to background information, Australia has one of the highest incidences of asthma in the world. Although the burden of risk factors for asthma in indigenous children is particularly high, little is known about the asthma risk profile in this population. (Brew et al., 2021)
Look at the studies done in Australia about this health issue in the specific group of people since 1995 when the National Priority Health Areas initiative began.
The Australian government has made plans to tackle asthma as a major health problem since 1995. For example, they created the Australian Asthma Handbook in 2006 to help healthcare professionals manage asthma. The handbook covers various asthma-related topics like diagnosis, prevention, assessment, and treatment for different age groups and populations. They update the handbook regularly to keep up with the latest research and clinical guidelines. Health officials have conducted studies on different health concerns for specific groups since 1995. One study suggested more research is needed to understand childhood asthma causes and develop better prevention and treatment methods. According to 1995 research by the National Health and Medical Research Council, asthma was a significant cause of illness and death among Australian children, leading to hospitalizations, ER visits, and school absences. Between two national health surveys conducted in 1989-90 and 1995, the number of people who reported having asthma increased by around 33% (Statistics, A. B 1999). This increase was more significant among adults than children, and among females than males. This rise in reporting could be due to better identification and treatment of asthma, increased public knowledge about the condition, and small differences in the way the surveys were conducted. However, it's not possible to know for sure how much of the increase in reporting is because of these reasons and how much is because of an actual increase in asthma cases.
Treatment of asthma:
Asthma can be treated in certain ways like taking medicines and using techniques to decrease inflammation in airways can help manage asthma. In 1995, about 1.1 million people in Australia (55% of all adults with asthma) said they had used asthma medicine in the two weeks before the survey. As people got older, they were more likely to use asthma medication, with 68% of those 65 and older using medication. Although children were less likely to use asthma medication than other age groups, they were more likely to visit a doctor. In 1995, 7% of children aged 0 to 14 had gone to a doctor for their asthma in the past two weeks. As people got older, they were more likely to visit a doctor for their asthma. (Jenkins & Woolcock, 1997) The study discovered that asthma was the cause of 40 deaths of children in Australia each year. There are various reasons why Australian children might get asthma, like genetics, pollution, exposure to cigarette smoke, and lifestyle choices like diet. The research suggests that we need to do more to help reduce the financial burden of asthma in Australia by improving access to healthcare, increasing awareness about the illness, and developing better ways to prevent and treat it. Even though doctors are still searching for a cure, they are working hard to solve the many asthma issues that affect children in Australia.
Summary
In the 1990s, asthma became a big problem for Australian kids. Lots of kids had it, and it was getting worse, causing a lot of money. The study suggested doing things to lower the risk factors that caused asthma and improve the care for kids with asthma. The researchers looked at things like genes, environment, and behaviour that can cause asthma. They found the problem and are still working on it. They also said that we need to teach people more about asthma and they found some solutions.
References
AIHW. (2009).Asthma in Australian children Findings from Growing Up in Australia, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/4e1c453a-d2dd-41c2-8320-6efc2abfc498/acm-17-10771.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Time trends and geographical variation in re-admissions for asthma in Australia, Table of contents. (n.d.). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/time-trends-geographical-variation-asthma/contents/table-of-contents
AIHW, (n.d.).Reports & data. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved May 9, 2012, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id1Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010).Causes of Death, Australia. Www.abs.gov.au; Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release
Australian bureau of statistics2010 - Abs 2010. National health survey: summary of results, 20072008 (reissue). Abs cat. No. 4364.0.
Canberra: abs.
ABS 2018. (2018, December 12).National Health Survey: First results, 2017-18 financial year | Australian Bureau of Statistics. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey-first-results/latest-release#general-health
Statistics, c=AU; o=Commonwealth of A. ou=Australian B. of. (2004, May 28).Main Features - Main Features. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4828.0.55.001 ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2006. 200405 National n. Health Survey: summary of results. ABS cat. no. 4364.0. Canberra: ABS.
Brew, B., Gibberd, A., Marks, G. B., Strobel, N., Allen, C. W., Jorm, L., Chambers, G., Eades, S., & McNamara, B. (2021). Identifying preventable risk factors for hospitalised asthma in young Aboriginal children: a whole-population cohort study.Thorax,76(6), 539546. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216189Jenkins, C. R., & Woolcock, A. J. (1997). 7. Asthma in adults.Medical Journal of Australia,167(3), 160165. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1997.tb138818.x
Statistics, A. B. (1999, June 24).Chapter - Mortality & Morbidity: Asthma. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/2f762f95845417aeca25706c00834efa/273cb84ffbb1f701ca2570ec0011260e
Poulos, L. M., Toelle, B. G., & Marks, G. B. (2005). The burden of asthma in children: an Australian perspective.Paediatric Respiratory Reviews,6(1), 2027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prrv.2004.11.004
How to administer asthma first aid. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EFCNg-Tq04
Assessment Instructions
Topic of assignment - asthma in Australian children
This is an individual assessment piece. It is expected that you will work on and complete this assessment on your own.
Information to include in your essay
The aim of this essay is for you to research and discuss the following about your topic (condition and identified population):
1. A concise overview of the health complaint/concern (~250 words):
a. What is the condition
b. Who gets this condition (focus on the identified
population)
c. What increases (or decreases) the risk of developing
this condition
d. Why is this condition of particular importance in the
population identified
2. Review the Australian research that has been carried out
on this health concern in the identified population, since the commencement of the National Priority Health Areas initiative (i.e., since 1995). Focus on (~1000 words):
a. Prevention of the condition in this population b. Management/treatment of the condition in this
population
3. Identify 2-3 areas of research around your chosen topic
that are still unclear / outstanding (i.e., identify some gaps in the research or areas for improvement), AND
a. link these to the research you have reviewed in part 2 (~150 words)
b. formulate a hypothesis for each identified knowledge gap that could be used to research the identified gap (~100 words)
This document contains instructions specific to completing the health essay assessment (assessment exercise 4). Before reading this document, you will need to read the READ ME
Basic structure
The essay style should be that of a formal academic essay.
Refer to your week 2 workshop materials (pre-work and workshop activities) for a refresh on academic essays and formal academic style. In particular, you may find the SLSS style guide on Writing an essay helpful.
While we have described this piece as an essay, you may
find it helpful to think of the essay as similar to the introduction section of an academic (journal) article (i.e., start general, move to more specifics around the previous research, and end with the gaps identified from your review of the literature, and suggest hypotheses to research the identified gap)
Your essay MUST have the following headings within the text:
o
o o
o
Introduction: Introduce the content of the essay by giving some relevant background and explicitly tell the marker what will and will not be discussed (your essay will not have the scope to cover everything on the topic you have chosen)
Between the introduction and the summary sections, use descriptive (e.g. logical and clear) subheadings to divide your essay
Summary/conclusion: A brief summary of the major points that you have made in the essay. DO
NOT introduce new material in the summary/conclusion.
References: reference list at the end (not a bibliography!), listed alphabetically in the APA style (see week 2 workshop pre-work and notes for a refresh on APA 7th).
A word limit of 1500 words (including in-text citations
but not counting words in tables or the reference list) applies to this assessment. No words over this limit will be read or commented on by the marker
Be guided by the marking rubric (available on FLO under Assessment exercise 3a: Assignment) when
completing your essay
Formatting your essay
Use Microsoft Word
Times New Roman or Calibri fonts, in a minimum font
size of 11
1.5 line spacing
Quoting and paraphrasing
As discussed in the week 2 workshop (and associated pre- work), quotations are almost never used in health publications. Quotations should only be used where there is something very special about the expression used in the quoted passage which would be lost if it was expressed differently. Your essay will also need to explain the significance of the expression used. If you use a quote, dont forget to cite it correctly using APA 7th style.
It is far better to use paraphrasing, as to paraphrase accurately you must understand what you are reading (and writing). This is the level of academic understanding we need you to demonstrate at university. Therefore, paraphrasing WILL be necessary throughout your assignment. This involves you expressing the ideas from your reference in your own words, not just changing some words or their order. Dont forget to use the drafts link for TurnItIn on FLO to check your paraphrasing.
References
A minimum of TEN references should be used
The essay should be fully referenced using APA 7th style
throughout. This means that all references must be properly cited and included in your reference list, following APA 7th style (see week 2 workshop pre-work and notes for a refresh on APA 7th)
Show evidence of careful library research from published
sources (do not cite Wikipedia, healthline.com, or other similar sites; do not use blogs, other personal web pages or commercial web pages) refer to week 3 workshop (pre-work and workshop activities)
Use a variety of published, reputable sources only (e.g.,
textbooks, journal articles, government documents) refer to week 2 and 3 workshops (pre-work and workshop activities)
Images/diagrams
Are not required. If you feel they are necessary to support your argument, ensure you reference them as per APA 7th
style (see week 2 workshop notes)
Please note that a 5% penalty per day (or part thereof) is applied for late submission without prior approval from
the Topic Coordinator. Extensions will be considered as per the SAM. If you require an extension, check the SAM for the appropriate process. You can apply for an extension using the Extension requests tool in FLO, located under Assessment hub
