Effectiveness of self-instructional module on knowledge of self-care management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and patient education is integral to the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also cornerstone of self-management in chronic illness. This study was aimed to improve the knowledge of COPD patients regarding self-care management of COPD. Methods: Quasi experimental (pre-test and post-test with control group) research design was used. Sixty COPD patients were selected by Purposive Sampling technique who was admitted in hospital. A semi structured interview schedule was used to assess the effect of self-instructional module on self-care management of COPD patients. Results: Pre-test knowledge score was 20% in experimental group and 19% in control group. Post-test knowledge score was 80% in experimental group and 23% in control group. This was significant improvement (60%) in knowledge after SIM in experimental group & mean difference was 19.01. The demographic variables like age & suffering years from COPD was significantly associated (p <0.001) with post-test knowledge score. Conclusion: Most of the COPD patients had inadequate knowledge regarding self-care management of COPD. Self-Instructional Module was highly effective in increasing knowledge among COPD patients. Therefore the knowledge of the COPD patients can be further improved by providing on-going teaching and health education programmes.