Assessment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness in University Students

Abstract

Assessment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease awareness in university students Objective: The study was aimed to identify the awareness of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma among university students and to compare awareness of COPD and asthma at the faculty of health science and education. Method: The universe of this cross-sectional observational study was students at Faculty of Health Science and Education in Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. Students divided into two groups (Group I: 317 Faculty of Health Science students, and Group II: 308 Faculty of Education students). TC Ministry of Health Chronic Airway Diseases Prevention Control Program Asthma-COPD Awareness Questionnaire Form was applied to volunteer face to face or via the internet. Results: Correct answers about COPD awareness were approximately above 70% except for questions: “Is COPD a treatable disease?” and “What test is required for the diagnosis of COPD?”. Correct answers about asthma awareness were approximately above 60% except for questions “Are asthma medications addictive?” and “Is asthma a disease that can be cured completely?”. The questions about awareness of COPD and asthma were answered more correctly in Group I more than in Group II except for questions: “In which age group is COPD most common” and “Are asthma medications addictive?” (p<0.05). Conclusion: COPD and asthma awareness was greater in students from the health sciences faculty than those from the education faculty. However, the university students showed an inadequate knowledge of the diagnosis and management of COPD and the medication and management of asthma. It is thought that providing education and awareness about chronic respiratory diseases to all university students will facilitate disease management