Characteristics and correlates of asthma knowledge among emergency department users in Harlem

We constructed a questionnaire to assess asthma knowledge, assessed its psy chometric properties, and examined its association with demographic charact eristics, psychosocial factors, and disease severity and management in 375 adults following an asthma-related emergency department visit. Overall know ledge was poor but varied widely among respondents. Better knowledge was re lated to younger age, higher education, and less severe disease. Chance-ori entated health locus of control and low self-esteem were associated with lo wer asthma knowledge. Better knowledge was associated with better disease m anagement. We conclude that asthma education can lead to improved disease o utcomes, and psychosocial factors need to be considered when designing inte rventions for asthma education.