Do Malaysian asthma patients use asthma action plan? a cross sectional study in Malaysian primary care setting

• Main Authors: Salim, Hani Syahida, Lee, Ping Yein, Shariff Ghazali, Sazlina, Cheong, Ai Theng, Pinnock, Hilary, Harrun, Noor Harzana, Mohamed Isa, Salbiah, Aris, Junita, Seetharaman, Vengketeswara Rao, Nordin, Salmah, Mahmud, Maimunah, Lee, Yeow Siong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Respiratory Society 2018
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/72323/1/Do%20Malaysian%20asthma%20patients%20use%20asthma%20action%20plan.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/72323/; https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/52/suppl_62/PA4210

Background: Supported self-management, including provision of an asthma action plan (AAP) improves asthma control. However, the concept of self-management and use of AAP among Asian population is relatively new. Aims: To determine the prevalence of AAP ownership among asthma patients and their characteristics in Malaysia primary care. Methods: We randomly sampled 550 asthma patients from five primary care practices between Oct 2017-Jan 2018. The patients were interviewed with pre-tested questionnaires to assess their AAP ownership, socio-demographic and the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: Asthma control was poor in 143(26%) patients, partially controlled in 137(24.9%) and well-controlled in 270(29.1%). Only 160(29.1%) owned an AAP. These AAP were primarily given by the doctors (95%, n=152) and 5% were given by the allied health (nurses and pharmacists). Among those who owned an AAP, 106(66.2%) were confident to use it. For those using AAP, the mean age was 45.6 years old, predominantly female (67%), of Malay ethnicity (48%), had at least secondary educational level (40%) and had well-controlled asthma (46%). Conclusion: Education, usage and confidence in using an AAP for asthma self-management is sub-optimal among asthma patients in Malaysian primary care. Supported asthma self-management in this population must be strengthened.