Study To Assess Factors Contributing To Compliance Of Aerosol Therapy In Bronchial Asthma.

Abstract

Objectives of the studyTo study the compliance of aerosol therapy in asthmatics.To know the factors contributing to noncompliance. Methodology:A total of 100 patients were studied. Once included in the study, patient’s follow up was done for one to three months. Percentage compliance on aerosol therapy was calculated. Results: 100 patients of bronchial asthma who were started on aerosol therapy over duration of one year were included in the study. At the end of 3 months it was observed that among 100 patients, only 31 patients (31%) had regular compliance and 69 patients (69%) were non-compliant to aerosol therapy for bronchial asthma. Level of learning status of the individual had an important role for non-compliance, four times daily or multiple drugs, dislike of medication and distant pharmacies. Non-Drug factors include fears about side effects, anger about condition or its treatment, forgetfulness or complacency and attitudes toward ill health. To improve the compliance, whenever there were defaults various strategies were employed, through the patient’s educational techniques, which included verbal praise, interactive communication skills tailoring the medications to the patient’s routine and answering to the family’s worry. This was done by a psychologist. After employing the various strategies of patient’s education, the compliance increased in 23 patients (34.3%) among the earlier defaulted patients, while the remaining 44 patients (65.7%) were found to be noncompliant even after various educational techniques.