Impact of Asthma Educational Intervention on Self-Care Management of Bronchial Asthma among Adult Asthmatics

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide [1]. Despite advancement in science and technology and pharmacological revolutions, worldwide asthma prevalence is uncontrolled, morbidity and mortality from asthma. The most common reasons are non adherence to treatment, poor knowledge and skills in disease management [2]. Aim: The study aims to assess the impact of Asthma Education on self care management among Bronchial asthma patients. Objectives: 1) to assess the knowledge on self care management of Bronchial asthma; 2) to develop and administer the Asthma educational intervention on self care management of asthma; 3) to evaluate the impact of Asthma educational intervention on patient knowledge levels in comparison of pre and post test scores. Design: Quasi experimental Pre test-post test design was chosen. Methods: Study was done to assess the effectiveness of structured asthma education program on self care management of Bronchial asthma. Thirty patients, meeting the inclusive criteria, were selected by simple random sampling, and were tested for their knowledge levels on identification of asthma triggers, and warning signs, adherence to specified drugs, diet and breathing exercises. Based on the patient needs, structured education program was developed, validated and administered. Two weeks after administering structured asthma education, post-test was conducted. The Pre-test and Post-test scores were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the Asthma education. Results: There was significant enhancement on knowledge levels on four areas of assessment and education. After asthma education the knowledge levels on disease process raised from minimum of 10% in the pre test to 77.50% in the post test. The knowledge scores on asthma triggers and warning signs enhanced 12% to 72%. The area of self monitoring and management records a rise in knowledge levels from 20% minimum scoring in pre test to 82.5% in the post test. The scores in diet, breathing exercises and adherence to drugs rose from 12.5% to 72.5% after asthma education. Conclusion: The findings reveal that educating patients remarkably increased their knowledge levels, which facilitate their behavioral modification thus enhances their self-care. Effective self care management at home level decreases asthma related morbidity and frequent visit to hospitals.