Understanding Knowledge, Practices, and Barriers in Metered Dose Inhaler Use Among Sri Lankan Patients with Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background and Aims: Despite declining mortality rates, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to pose significant public health challenges with persistently high morbidity rates. One prominent con¬tributing factor is the inadequate use of prescription metered dose inhalers (MDIs) by patients, leading to insufficient dosing and suboptimal disease control. Thus, it is crucial to assess patients’ knowledge, practices, and barriers concerning MDI usage. Methods: This descriptive convenience sampling, conducted at Polonnaruwa District General Hospital in Sri Lanka, enrolled 250 participants to investigate MDI-related behaviors. Questionnaire was used as data collection tool and sampling technique is conveniet sampling. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and SPSS version 20 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA) software were used for statistical analysis. Results: The majority of participants were aged over 40, with a higher proportion of females (59%) than males (39%). Over half of them had been managing bronchial asthma and COPD for more than five years. Notably, all participants were MDI users, but 59% reported disease exacerbations occurring more than four weeks ago, with dust being the primary trigger (45%). Healthcare professionals, especially nurses and doctors, were common sources of MDI education. However, none of the participants demonstrated correct inhalation technique both before and after receiving education, raising significant concerns. Conclusions: This study highlights the inadequacies in MDI utilization among participants, emphasizing the urgent need for improved patient education by healthcare professionals. Addressing these knowledge and skills gaps related to MDI usage is essential for enhancing asthma and COPD management, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and a reduced disease burden.