Abstract
Self-management can be used to live a more effective and efficient daily life. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of self-management educational program on improving the asthmatic older adults' behaviors. Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at chest outpatient clinics in Benha University Hospital and Benha Health Insurance Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 53 asthmatic older adults was chosen from total 229. Tool: A structured interviewing questionnaire to assess asthmatic older adults' socio-demographic characteristics, history of asthma, characteristics of asthma, and their knowledge related to asthma, also their self- management behaviors to manage asthma. Results: Findings of this study revealed that less than three quarters of the studied subjects were females and had asthma duration more than 10 years, their knowledge and self- management behaviors regarding asthma were improved post program with highly statistically significant differences between total knowledge and total self- management behaviors pre and post program implementation (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study concluded that the asthma self- management program is effective for improving older adults' self- management behaviors regarding asthma. Recommendation: Continues of self-management program for asthmatic older adults focusing on management behaviors especially asthmatic triggers prevention, and asthma attack management. Also, the study recommended that, periodic refreshing course and training for nurses in chest outpatient clinics about chest diseases especially asthma is needed to take active role in educating asthmatic older adults how to manage and control asthma.
Highlights
Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide with wide differences in prevalence and severity throughout the world
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of self-management educational program on improving the asthmatic older adults' behaviors through: 1) Assessing older adults' knowledge and selfmanagement behaviors needs regarding asthma
According to the research hypothesis: The findings revealed a significant improving in studied subjects' knowledge and self-management behaviors regarding asthma after implementation of self-management educational program
Summary
Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide with wide differences in prevalence and severity throughout the world. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the airways which presents as episodes of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness due to wide spread narrowing of the airways symptoms can be triggered by viral infections, exercise, air pollutants, tobacco smoke or specific allergens. Several factors that influence the prevalence of asthma include obesity, allergic rhinitis, genetic, family history, exposure to allergens at an early age, and smoking history [2],[ 3],[ 4],[ 5]. Controlling asthma and preventing exacerbations requires meticulous attention to self-management, including avoidance of triggers, such as cigarette smoke and allergens, regular monitoring by a healthcare provider, and proper use of daily anti-inflammatory controller medications. Many patients fail to maintain adequate self-management behaviors [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
