Poquito a Poquito: How Latino Families With Children Who Have Asthma Make Changes in Their Home

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess the cultural and environmental barriers to making asthma-focused changes in the homes of Latino families with children who have asthma.MethodsA descriptive qualitative design guided data collection and analysis in this study. Participating families described their experiences in caring for their children with asthma and the barriers they encountered when trying to modify their home environments and manage their children’s asthma symptoms.ResultsFamilies discussed a spectrum of methods to manage their children’s asthma symptoms, including barriers they experienced and successful changes they made in their homes. “Little by little” parents made minor adjustments, as they were able, to alleviate their children’s asthma symptoms.DiscussionNurses working with Latino families who experience similar barriers can use these findings to guide inquiries about families’ successful changes in their home environment and use them as a starting place to work collaboratively with families to reduce their children’s asthma exacerbations. This process will allow nurses to use culturally and family tailored interventions to fit their needs and goals.