Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS)

Not an evidence-based model
More information below

Not MIECHV eligible

2

Manuscripts

Released in 1979 through 2011

2

Manuscripts

Impact studies rated high or moderate quality

Services intended at ages
7-11 months
12-23 months
Favorable results from well-defined research
Positive parenting practices

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The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) was designed to reduce children’s wheezing-related morbidity by reducing household allergens and increasing caregiver illness-management skills. CAPS participants were low-income families living in the Denver metropolitan area with children between 9 and 24 months old who had experienced at least three wheezing episodes. Nurses trained as home visitors addressed allergen and tobacco smoke reduction, as well as psychosocial factors of illness management, including parental knowledge, parent-child relationships, and caregiver mental health. Home visitors guided and supported caregivers’ efforts to achieve health-promotion goals through education, problem solving, and referrals for additional services. CAPS consisted of 18 home visits delivered over the course of a year.

Where to find out more

Effectiveness

This model does not meet criteria established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an evidence-based home visiting model because findings from high- or moderate-rated effectiveness studies of the model do not demonstrate favorable (statistically significant) impacts in at least two outcome domains within one sample OR the same domain for at least two non-overlapping samples.

Does not meet criteria for an evidence-based home visiting model for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Extent of Evidence

For more information about manuscripts, search the research database.

For more information on the criteria used to rate research, please see details of HomVEEʼs methods and standards.

2

Manuscripts

Released in 1979 through 2011

2

Manuscripts

Eligible for review

2

Manuscripts

Impact studies rated high or moderate quality

When an individual manuscript reports findings from multiple studies, HomVEE reviews each study as a distinct manuscript. In these rare instances, HomVEE counts that manuscript multiple times in this table, once for each study identified, screened, and reviewed by HomVEE.

Summary of Findings

To see details on each manuscript HomVEE reviewed in well-designed research, click on the manuscript counts in the table.

Favorable:
A finding showing a statistically significant impact on an outcome measure in a direction that is beneficial for children and parents.

No effect:
Findings are not statistically significant.

Unfavorable:
A finding showing a statistically significant impact on an outcome measure in a direction that may indicate potential harm to children and/or parents.

Ambiguous findings are excluded from this table. An ambiguous finding is a statistically significant impact on an outcome measure in a direction that is not clearly beneficial for or potentially harmful to children and/or parents.

Outcomes Manuscripts Favorable Findings No Effects Findings Unfavorable Findings
Child development and school readiness Not measured - - -
Child health View 2 Manuscripts 0 4 0
Family economic self-sufficiency Not measured - - -
Linkages and referrals Not measured - - -
Maternal health View 1 Manuscript 0 1 0
Positive parenting practices View 1 Manuscript 3 3 0
Reductions in child maltreatment Not measured - - -
Reductions in juvenile delinquency, family violence, and crime Not measured - - -

Research Characteristics

Well-designed impact studies about this model included participants with the following characteristics. The evidence for effectiveness for the model may include additional studies that did not report this participant information.

Race/Ethnicity

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if Hispanic ethnicity was reported separately or respondents could select two or more race or ethnicity categories.

Black or African American
23%
Hispanic or Latino
53%
White
21%
Some other race
2%
Unknown
1%

Maternal Education

Less than a high school diploma
48%
Unknown
52%

Other Characteristics

Data not available

Well-designed impact studies about this model were conducted in the following locations:

  • Colorado

Implementation

In this section:

Overview

Theoretical approach, intended population, and targeted outcomes.

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Support Availability

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Service Delivery

Model services, adaptions and enhancements, model intensity and length.

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Requirements

Staffing and organizational requirements.

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Overview

Theoretical approach

There are no definitive risk factors for the development of childhood asthma. Therefore, many asthma-related primary prevention programs focus on children whose parents have asthma. As children with asthmatic parents represent only a small proportion of the total population of children with asthma, the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) aimed to intervene with a broader range of children at risk of developing asthma, namely young children who had experienced wheezing episodes. In addition to the standard allergen-reduction efforts undertaken in other programs, the CAPS model also targeted the psychosocial factors that might affect successful illness management, such as parental knowledge of health promotion activities and caregiver mental health issues.

Intended population

CAPS served young children living in low-income households, who were between 9 and 24 months and had at least three wheezing episodes that had been brought to the attention of a physician.

Targeted outcomes

The intervention was designed to reduce children’s wheezing-related morbidity by reducing household allergens and increasing caregiver illness-management capabilities.

Highlights

Populations Intended
Families with low-income
Services intended at ages
7-11 months
12-23 months

Support Availability

Implementation support availability

CAPS was designed and implemented by staff from National Jewish Health (formerly the National Jewish Medical and Research Center).

No information was available about technical assistance.

Highlights

Locations where model has been implemented
Within the U.S.

Service Delivery

Model services

CAPS provided home-based services that addressed allergen and environmental tobacco smoke reduction, illness management, parent-child relationships, and caregiver mental health. The home visitors guided and supported caregivers’ efforts to achieve health promotion goals through education, problem solving, and referrals for additional services.

Caregivers received videos addressing asthma prevention and management, and handouts on topics relevant to their needs (such as child care or interactions with medical care providers).

Model intensity and length

The intervention consisted of 18 home visits delivered over the course of a year. No information was available about the length of the visits.

Adaptations and enhancements

No information was available about model adaptations or enhancements.

Highlights

Maximum program duration
More than six months up to one year
Visit frequency
Not reported
Delivery Method Supported
Supports hybrid in-person and virtual service delivery

Requirements

Staffing requirements

CAPS was implemented by nurse home visitors.

The home visitors who implemented CAPS had a bachelor of science degree in nursing and experience with community outreach.

There was no information available on supervision requirements.

Home visitors received training in asthma prevention and management. No information was available about whether home visitors were required to participate in ongoing professional development.

Organizational requirements

No information was available about the type or characteristics of organizations that could implement the model.

No information was available about whether the model specified any guidelines that implementing programs or home visitors were required to meet on an ongoing basis.

Highlights

Minimum education requirement
Bachelor’s degree
Professional certification required for home visitors
Yes

HomVEE requests input and feedback from the model developers on their profiles. The information in this implementation profile reflects feedback, if provided, from this model’s developer as of the above date. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency. The description of the implementation of the model(s) here may differ from how the model(s) was implemented in the manuscripts reviewed to determine this model’s evidence of effectiveness. Model developers are encouraged to notify HomVEE of any changes to their contact information on this page.