Knowledge about inhaler use among the chronic asthma patients in selected hospitals

Abstract

This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among the chronic asthma patients attending three Institutes of Dhaka city namely National Asthma Center, The National Institute of Diseases of Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Mohakhali, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital to assess the level of knowledge regarding inhaler use. Convenient sampling was adopted. Data were collected using one semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. The patients were aged from 18 to 75 years with mean age being 40.68 years and sd ± 11.659 years. The mean monthly income of the respondents found was 8278.52 taka with standard deviation ± 3523.315 taka. Mean duration of bronchial asthma was 9.44 years with sd±4.862 years. Out of the total 298 respondents 103(35.8%) possessed "excellent knowledge" on inhalers. Ninety one (31.6%) had "adequate knowledge", sixty nine (24.0%) had "poor knowledge" and thirty five (8.7%) respondents were found having "no knowledge" about inhalers. Males were seen having better knowledge than the females (χ 2 =66.582, df=3, p<0.001). The respondents receiving treatment from the indoor possessed better knowledge than those from the outdoors (p<0.001). Level of Knowledge was also found to be associated with the educational status of the respondents. Respondents with higher education possessed more than the respondents with lower education (p<0.001). Though most of the physicians now prescribe inhalers, but many of them do not explain the proper use of inhaler. This may be corrected through training and motivation of physicians at Medical Colleges and Hospitals and during various medical conferences and other programs. To reduce the extent of suffering and economic burden of asthma patients and their families, active education program for the patients and training program for the health care providers, regarding "inhaler use technique" demands early consideration.

Factors related to self-care practice in asthmatic patients at rajshahi in Bangladesh

“…Consequently, average self-care practice score is slightly high found in this study results. Parvin et al, found that maximum respondents were suffering from asthma for 5-10 years which is congruent with this study finding 14 . Moreover, self-care practice researched in other studies revealed that self-care practice can reduce asthma symptoms, prevent asthma triggers, and increase adherence with medication regimens 15,16 .…”

“…One study found that there is a small positive correlation between knowledge and self-care practice in asthma (r = 0.24, p<0.01) 19 . One other study illustrated that awareness of the patients' knowledge and practice of controlling and preventing the disease is important for planning health education activities 14 . To sum up, the study result indicated that the study independent variable "knowledge" is associated with dependent variable "self-care practice" in asthmatic patients at Rajshahi in Bangladesh.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Use Of Metered Dose Inhalers Among Bronchial Asthma Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…and patients not willing to participate in the study. A standardized questionnaire which included sociodemographic data (Age, sex, occupation, education status, socio-economic status etc) knowledge regarding the disease and use of inhalers, attitudes toward use of inhalers and practices regarding inhaler use and observation checklist for technique of using inhalers was developed from questionnaire which have been used in earlier studies and was modified by asthma experts [10][11][12][13][14][15] . The questionnaire was validated and pretested on a group of bronchial asthma patients.…”

“…A study conducted in India reported that 64% of adults suffering from respiratory diseases and prescribed Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) used them incorrectly while 25.9% of adults with respiratory diseases who were prescribed rotahalers used them incorrectly 9 . A study in Bangladesh shows that only 35.8 per cent asthma patients could demonstrate the technique of inhaler use properly 10 . Asthma cannot be cured but attacks of asthma and associated complications can be prevented by proper management plan 10 .…”

“…A study in Bangladesh shows that only 35.8 per cent asthma patients could demonstrate the technique of inhaler use properly 10 . Asthma cannot be cured but attacks of asthma and associated complications can be prevented by proper management plan 10 . Current data regarding knowledge, attitude and practices of asthma patients in controlling and preventing the disease is important for planning both health education activities and management of asthma.…”