Asthma Management In Millenial College Students: Attitudes and Perceptions of Resources

College students are a unique population with specific needs in regards to asthma self-management. During this transition period, adolescents face many challenges that can interfere with their ability to manage their asthma effectively. The purpose of this study is to describe Millennial college students’ level of asthma control and their attitudes and perceptions of how well their asthma is managed. A survey of asthma control was used to describe students’ perceived level of asthma control and their actual level control. In addition, a focus group was used to describe resources college students with asthma utilize for disease management and additional resources or adaptations that are necessary to better meet students’ needs.

This study found that the majority of first-year college students with asthma who have the perception that they are in control of their asthma are actually well controlled. However, there is still an opportunity to provide education to more closely align students’ perceptions about their asthma with their actual level of control. Data obtained from the focus group sessions revealed millennial first-year college students with asthma have a significant misunderstanding of asthma “control” and most do not recognize the basic processes of the disease. Students also face a variety of barriers and limitations that prevent appropriate access to care, as well as difficulties they experience adapting to environmental changes after coming to college, such as climate changes, living arrangements, or developing new routines.