Adherence to inhalers and associated factors among adult asthma patients: an outpatient-based study in a tertiary hospital of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Project started: 20th July, 2021
Project End: 12th April, 2022
Publication status: Published
Brief description: Adherence to inhaler medication is an important contributor to optimum asthma control along with adequate pharmacotherapy. The objective of the present study was to assess self-reported adherence levels and to identify the potential factors associated with non-adherence to the inhalers among asthma patients. This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the medicine outpatient department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital from November 2020 to January 2021. A total of 357 clinically confirmed adult asthma patients were interviewed. Inhaler adherence was measured using the 10-item Test of Adherence scale (TAI).. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to express the socio-demographic of the patients and predictors of poor adherence to inhaler. A substantial number of participants were non-adherent (86%) to inhaler medication. Patients non-adherent to inhaler medication are often younger (23.15, 95% CI 3.67–146.08), lived in the rural area (23.28, 95% CI 2.43–222.66), less year of schooling (5.69, 95% CI 1.27–25.44), and belonged to the middle income (aOR 9.74, 95% CI 2.11–44.9) than those adherent with the inhaler. The presence of comorbidities (12.91, 95% CI 1.41–117.61), prolonged duration of inhaler intake (5.69, 95% CI 1.22–26.49), consulting non-qualified practitioners (13.09, 95% CI 3.10–55.26) were the significant contributor of non-adherence. Despite ongoing motivation and treatment, non-adherence to inhalation anti-asthmatic is high and several factors have been found to contribute. Regular monitoring and a guided patient-centered self-management approach might be helpful to address them in long run.
Knowledge of Stroke and its Risk Factors among Stroke Survivors: A Hospital Based Study
Project started: 30 September 2020
Project End: 30 March 2023
Publication status: Project ongoing
Brief description: Significant variations observed in stroke incidence, risk factors and sufferings between high & resource poor countries. Considering lack of study in our country perspective, the study was designed to assess the knowledge of stroke and its risk factors among stroke survivors in Bangladeshi population. This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine and Department of Neurology in Uttara Adhunik Medical College & Hospital (UAMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients aged >18 years who were admitted with stroke (Ischemic and hemorrhagic) were included in the study. Before enrollment informed consent was ensured. Total 50 patients were interviewed and assessed. Separate case record form was used during data collection. Final analysis was done by SPSS 22.00 version software. A ‘good’ knowledge of stroke was defined by correct answer to ≥4 out of 7 questions about location, cause, risk factor, warning sign, treatment, complication and prevention of stroke. Among 50 stroke survivors, mean age was 58.34±12.90 (SD) years. Male-female ratio was 1.08:1. Overall 78% patients had good knowledge of stroke. Brain was correctly identified as center of stroke by 52% stroke survivors and disturbance of blood supply to brain as a cause of stroke was recognized by 12%. Stress was the most common risk factor identified (50%). At least one warning sign was identified by 76% stroke survivors. Seventy-four percent stroke survivors knew that they have to be taken to nearest health facility and if possible, in hospital where neurological care is available. Only 4% knew about the golden hour of taking the stroke patient. On average knowledge about treatment, complication and prevention of stroke was good. Stroke knowledge was not significantly associated with demographic and socio-economic profile of stroke survivors. More than two thirds of the patients had knowledge regarding stroke and its risk factors but no uniform pattern of knowledge is noticed.