IMPROPER TECHNIQUE OF USING METER DOSE INHALER IN A SAMPLE OF ASTHMATIC PATIENTS

Background: Improper asthma inhaler device use was most likely one of the major causes associated with uncontrolled asthma and frequent respiratory clinic visits. Therefore, assessment of the effect of the improper use of metered dose inhaler device in the control of bronchial asthma, and the factors that have important impact on asthma management and control. Objectives: To evaluate the inhaler technique among asthmatic patients and to investigate the characteristics of these patients and factors associated with improper use of inhaler devices and its relationship with asthma control. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 patients who visited respiratory clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital with bronchial asthma from 1^st of August 2014 to 28^th February 2015. Information was collected about demographic data and asthma control and we assessed the inhaler techniques for each patient using an inhaler technique checklist. Results: Among the 100 asthma patients, 50 (50%) were male, 50 (50%) female. There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with the gender (P value <0.05). There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with the age (P value = 0.01). There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with the education level of patients (P value = 0.00). There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with the duration of disease of the patient (P value = 0.03). There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with the disease education of the patient (P value = 0.00). There was a statistically significant association between educational defects with asthma control test (ACT). Conclusion: Improper inhaler device use was major factor associated with poor asthma control.