Compliance & Practices Related to Inhalation Therapy (MDI/DPI) Among Asthma Patients

Abstract

Background Asthma is respiratory disease characterized by acute episode of spasm of bronchi in lungs leading to difficulty in breathing.Most often it is related to theallergic reaction of airways. It is treated with inhalation therapy that is metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI).However, the desired treatment outcomes are not observed due to ineffective compliance and practices of MDI /DPI (metered dose inhaler and dry powder inhalers) Aims and objectives Assess the compliance related to MDI/DPI therapy among asthma patients Evaluate the practices related to MDI/DPI therapy among asthma patients. Design It was exploratory observational study patients were contacted in the outpatient department and their interview was conducted thereafter their practices related to the use of MDI/DPI were assessed. Methods: The study included 50 asthma patients undergoing mdi/dpi therapy at GMCH 32 Chandigarh. The data was collected by through interview method for compliance and practices related to inhalation therapy (MDI/DPI) were assessed through checklist among asthma patients Results: Compliance score showed that 72% of subjects had good compliance (7-9) with good MDI use, practices 82% (11-15).correlation between compliance and practices was calculated with spearman correlation method and it was found to be positive correlation (0.54). Co-relation between compliance and practices were calculated by using the rank difference. It showed that there was positive co- relation between compliance and practices. Association between compliance and socio-demographic variables (age, monthly income, affected compliance) Similarly, between practices and socio-demographic variables association (marital statusand monthly income) was found to be significant. Conclusion: Desired medical outcomes are possible with adequate health education and compliance of patients to the medical regimen as well as the appropriate practices related to the MDI/DPI. As observed during the study the education part of the patient is dependent on the nursing personnel who is demonstrating and taking feedback of the patients about the compliance as well as the difficulties faced by them, while using the MDI/DPI. Hence, the study reveals the integral part that is health education is an essential part for desired patient outcome. Keywords : practice, compliance, nursing, practice base learning