Enhancing Disease and Management Knowledge Among Black Americans With Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Abstract

Purpose

Lack of knowledge contributes to disparate outcomes among Americans with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study assessed the impact of an educational intervention on disease knowledge and management in Black Americans with asthma or COPD.

Design

Pre-post study design with 9-month follow-up.

Setting

Urban church community.

Subjects

Black American adults (N = 38) with self-reported asthma (18) and COPD (20), of which 76.3% (N = 29) completed the intervention.

Intervention

The Asthma COPD (ACOPD) Workshop consisted of three 1-hour classes focused on disease knowledge and management behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, and avoiding triggers) delivered in 16 sessions over six months.

Measures

Knowledge questionnaire.

Analysis

McNemar’s tests for paired proportions.

Results

Knowledge of disease concepts increased post-intervention, then decreased at the 9-month follow-up. There was a significant difference in the proportion of participants that provided correct answers to questions about ‘two diseases that constitute COPD’ (P = .04), ‘main cause of COPD’ (P = .01), 'written action plan' (P = .04), and 'untrue statement about asthma,' (P = .02).

Conclusion

The ACOPD Workshop increased knowledge of basic disease concepts, risk factors, and management. Regular delivery of educational sessions in the community can support knowledge retention and practice of healthy behaviors.