IMPACT OF PHARMACIST-LED EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS IN ASTHMA ON INHALER TECHNIQUES
KOSISOCHI CHINWENDU AMORHA *, MATHEW JEGBEFUME OKONTA, CHINWE VICTORIA UKWE
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, PMB 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 12(3): 266-276 (2020
ABSTRACT
The correct use of inhalers allows for optimal safety and efficacy. This study assessed the impact of pharmacist-led educational interventions in asthma on inhaler techniques. This was a single-blinded, three-arm, prospective, randomized, controlled intervention study conducted in the Respiratory Units of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos State between March 2016 to September 2017. The three arms were: Usual Care, Individual Intervention, Caregiver-assisted Intervention. The intervention arms received education for 6 months while the usual care arm received no education. Using a validated checklist, inhaler techniques were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after baseline. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0 with statistical significance set as P < 0.05. Seventy-eight (78) asthma patients participated; 39 patients per hospital; 13 patients in each arm. There was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in PMDI scores for the Individual Intervention compared to Usual Care arm at 3 months (11.00 vs. 9.38; P = 0.005, t = 3.086, df = 25) and 6 months (11.00 vs. 9.54; P = 0.013, t = 2.658, df = 25) but at 3 months only (10.54 vs. 9.38; P = 0.044, t = 2.126, df = 25) for the Caregiver-assisted Intervention arm. Furthermore, there was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in accuhaler scores for the Individual Intervention compared to Usual Care arm at 3 months (11.00 vs. 9.35; P = 0.028, t = 2.421, df = 16) and 6 months (11.00 vs. 9.18; P = 0.016, t = 2.696, df = 16) but at 3 months only (10.77 vs. 8.85; P = 0.045, t = 2.241, df = 12) for the Caregiver-assisted Intervention arm. The individualized educational intervention produced better improvements in inhaler techniques than the caregiver-assisted intervention.
Email of correspondence: kosisochi.amorha@unn.edu.ng;
KEYWORDS: Asthma; Inhalers; Interventions; Pharmacist.