Patient Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Asthma: Insights from a Tertiary Care Centre

Unni R Baby; Vishnu Narayanan S; Sruthi Raghunath; Supriya Adiody

doi:10.55489/njmr.160220261239

Authors

Unni R Baby Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Vishnu Narayanan S Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7468-4626
Sruthi Raghunath Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5812-6944
Supriya Adiody Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1683-9348

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njmr.160220261239

Keywords:

Asthma knowledge, Patient education, Medication adherence, Health literacy, Socio-demographic factors, Inhaler awareness

Abstract

Background: Asthma prevalence and morbidity require effective patient education for optimal management; however, knowledge gaps persist across populations. This study assessed asthma knowledge in Indian adults, examined the demographic determinants, and identified critical knowledge deficits.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 100 adults was conducted using a standardized asthma knowledge questionnaire. Demographic variables and detailed knowledge assessments were analyzed using chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Key findings included high awareness of allergy and air pollution as triggers (>90% correct), poor understanding of inhaler types (24% correct), and objective disease monitoring. Educational level emerged as the only significant independent predictor of high asthma knowledge (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06-2.29, p = 0.025). Age was negatively correlated with knowledge, while gender and urban/rural residence were not significant predictors.

Conclusions: Education was the primary determinant of asthma knowledge in this cohort, with notable deficiencies in medication adherence and inhaler awareness. Tailored educational interventions focusing on these gaps may improve management outcomes.

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