The Role of Nurses in Educating and Empowering Asthma Patients for Self- Management: A Prospective Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition globally, posing significant challenges to patients and healthcare systems. In Bangladesh, the burden of asthma is increasing, necessitating effective management strategies. Nurse-led interventions focusing on patient education and empowerment have shown promise in improving asthma outcomes. Objective: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of nurse-led interventions on asthma patients' knowledge, self-management skills, and symptom monitoring in Bangladesh. Method: Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, Role of Nurses in Educating and Empowering Asthma Patients for Self-Management, at Rangpur Medical College Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. A total of n=122 nurses, across different age groups, participated in the study. Results: Pre- and post-intervention assessments revealed significant improvements in asthma patients' knowledge levels, with an average increase from 60% to 85%. Self-management skills also showed enhancement, with inhaler utilization proficiency rising from 45% to 80%. Additionally, there was a notable increase in symptom monitoring, with 75% of patients regularly tracking their symptoms post-intervention compared to 30% pre-intervention. Emergency preparedness improved, with the percentage of patients having an asthma action plan increasing from 25% to 70%. Conclusions: Nurse-led interventions effectively enhance asthma patients' knowledge, self-management skills, symptom monitoring, and emergency preparedness. These findings underscore the importance of integrating nurse-led strategies into asthma care protocols in Bangladesh, contributing to improved patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.