Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF ASTHMA AMONG ASTHMATIC PATIENTS VISITING SOUTH INDIAN TEACHING HOSPITAL

Harshavardhan Goud*, Jasleen Kaur, Sowjanya Reddy J. and Apurwa K.

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a global problem with a drastic increase in fatal and mortality rate as per WHO & UNICEF. This is caused either due to Global Warming or Immune Modified Senstivity to allergens. The Asthmatic patients undergoing the asthma management are either under treatment due to ignorance or distorted information or knowledge of patients about their disease. Objective - The study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of asthma among asthmatic patients. Methodology - A prospective interventional study was conducted among 86 patients visiting both OPD & IPD -General Medicine and Emergency ward at District hospital, Kalaburagi, for a period of 06 months. The data was collected by face-to-face interview and a suitably designed questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices at baseline before intervention and 15 days after the intervention using a pre/post-test design with the patients being their own controls. Results - The data of 86 patients were analysed in this study. Out of 86 patients, 56.9% were male and 43.1% were female. 34% patients had knowledge about their disease, the attitude score was 44.7% and practice score was 43.4% before counselling. After counselling, there was significant increase in KAP scores of the patients. Conclusion - The study concludes that the knowledge and practice scores were low, however they had favourable attitude towards their disease. Clinical pharmacist provided education had shown a positive improvement in patients knowledge, attitude and practices among asthma patients.

Keywords: Asthma; knowledge; attitude; practices; patient counselling.