THE EFFECT OF EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING THE USE OF METERED DOSE INHALER AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS

Background: The quality of life of children depend up on the impact of Respiratory disorders.1 Its affect all age groups often starts in childhood. Inhalation therapy is the most recommended and efficient therapy for Asthma and Respiratory infections.11 Inhaler devices are a mainstay in the management of respiratory diseases and their proper usage requires continuous training. Correct use of inhalers requires specific training as a healthcare provider, nurses play a significant role in patient’s education. 8 Educational interventions should be high quality and repeated to maintain correct inhaler technique.9 Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the effect of educational intervention on knowledge and practice regarding the use of metered dose inhaler among mothers. Materials and method: An evaluative study with Pre- experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was used to assess the effect of educational intervention on knowledge and practice regarding use of metered dose inhaler among mothers. 100 samples were taken using Non Probability Convenient Sampling from selected hospitals. The data was collected using self-structured demographic data, knowledge questioner and observation checklist. Results: The analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Researcher applied paired t-test for the effect of educational intervention on knowledge and practice regarding use of metered dose inhaler among mothers. Average knowledge score of mothers in pre-test was 8.3 which increased to 16.5 in post-test. T-value for this test was 19.9 with 99 degrees of freedom. Average practice score of mothers in pre-test was 9.5 which increased to 13.3 in post-test. T-value for this test was 25.9 with 99 degrees of freedom. Corresponding p-value for knowledge and practice was small (less than 0.05), null hypothesis is rejected. It is evident that educational intervention is effective in improving the knowledge and practices regarding the use of metered dose inhaler among mothers of children with respiratory infections. Conclusion: The inhalers is always preferred to treat respiratory infections. The mastering correct inhaler technique is yet to be very difficulties in many people and is necessary to improve the therapeutic effect. In the present study sufficient improvement in knowledge and practice regarding the use of metered dose inhaler is found. Educational interventions were effective in improving the knowledge and practices among mothers.