Nurses' Knowledge on Management of Bronchial Asthma Disease at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital

Background: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, leading to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Effective asthma management requires healthcare professionals to have adequate knowledge about the disease and its treatment options. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nurses at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital regarding the management of bronchial asthma. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and fifty nurses were selected as respondents from July 2017 to January 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and knowledge about bronchial asthma management. The questionnaire was divided into demographic information, nurses' knowledge about asthma management, and patient knowledge about asthma. Result: The study found that 96% of nurses were knowledgeable about incident-related bronchial asthma, while 4% were not. All nurses provided health education and counseling to patients, and 92% demonstrated the correct use of inhalers. Additionally, 96% of nurses encouraged regular medication use, while 4% did not. 94% of nurses advised patients to avoid environmental dust, while 6% did not. 92% of nurses assisted patients with investigations, while 8% did not. Family history was recognized as a risk factor for bronchial asthma by 94% of nurses, while 6% did not. Conclusion: The study concludes that while nurses at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital demonstrate good knowledge and practices regarding asthma management, there is still room for improvement. Continued education and training programs could enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in managing bronchial asthma effectively.