Influence of a Clinic-Based Group Intervention on Asthma Perception and Management in India

Multiple patient-level notions of asthma etiology and management exist. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a group-level educational intervention to change knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) in asthma patients. In a baseline study to assess KAP in asthma patients, 797 adults participated. All were invited to participate in this follow-up study about a group-level learning program. A total of 701 (88%) patients attended one of the monthly meetings composed of 60 to 80 patients, where they were educated regarding the nature of the disease, trigger factors, prevention, and inhaler use through a locally customized education tool using audiovisual aids. A short questionnaire to assess changes in KAP was completed by 580 participants (83%). A comparison of responses to baseline was performed using the c2 test. The baseline study revealed lacunae in 4 areas of KAP: awareness of nature of asthma, early signs of exacerbation, compliance with therapy, and preferential inhaler use. In postintervention versus baseline group comparisons, a significant increase in knowledge of disease nature (12% vs 44%, P < .001), early exacerbation recognition (14% vs 76%, P < .001), compliance with therapy (10% vs 33%, P < .001), and preferred use of inhalers (men: 41% vs 74%, P < .001; women: 9% vs 69%, P < .001) was observed. Group-level education with a customized audiovisual teaching tool is effective in changing the attitude of asthma patients.