Authors: Chukwuma A. Chidiebere, Onubogu C. Uchenna, Longjohn N. Dabota.
Introduction: Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are important in asthma management, however, their therapeutic effectiveness is dependent on correct use, as a poor technique would result in suboptimal drug delivery to the lungs. It is, therefore, necessary for healthcare professionals to know and teach proper pMDI techniques, to improve the outcomes in asthma management.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess pMDI technique instructions given by healthcare workers to patients with bronchial asthma.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study done amongst healthcare workers who attended the 2022 World Asthma Day Workshop in Port Harcourt. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the demographic characteristics of participants. A model station was set up for the healthcare workers to give simulated health instructions to patients on the use of the provided pMDI. The correct identification of a pMDI and the stepwise pMDI training instructions of each participant were observed and scored according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute protocol.
Result: Sixty participants were recruited for the study.Ninety-eight per cent of the participants correctly identified a pMDI. However,88.3% gave less than 60% of the instructions required for proper demonstration of the inhaler technique.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated poor pMDI technique among Health workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.