Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Asthma Control and Socioeconomic Factors in Inner-City Cohort: A Rapid Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic produced unprecedented disruption to many social determinants of health. We sought to explore the initial impact of the COVID-19 emergency on asthma control and health in school-age children and their families. We remotely surveyed the parents of children attending elementary school in a city in the Northeast, about their experiences from February-July 2020. We recorded demographic information about the children and their family members, COVID-19 associated illness and testing, asthma control, and socioeconomic factors related to health. The online survey was completed by 120 families. Seventy-four households (66.7%) had ≥1 adult working outside the home during the state of emergency. Two children (1.7%) had documented illness with SARS-CoV-2. Documented or suspected COVID-19-related illness was reported in ≥1 family member in 9.9% of households. Thirty-six children (30%) had asthma. During the initial period of the COVID-19 emergency, parents generally perceived their children’s asthma as well-controlled (52.8%) or completely-controlled (41.7%). Most families reported good adherence to asthma medications (76%), though some (11.1%) expressed reluctance to access medical care during the outbreak. Nearly all children were offered online education during school closures. Many families reported that technical and/or logistical barriers limited participation. Notable proportions of families reported working outside the home and experiencing COVID-19-related illness during the first 4 months of the pandemic. Despite significant disruption to daily life, the situation tended to enhance protective factors on asthma control. Further studies are needed to better guide management of pediatric asthma and evaluate socioeconomic changes occurring during the COVID-19 emergency.