A group of asthma patients' treatment related thoughts based on health belief model and perception of medication success

AIM: This study is a descriptive study which aims to determine the attitude and perceptions of asthma patients about their health and their opinion regarding the success of treatment. METHOD: The study is carried out without any sampling. The participants are 74 patients who were admitted in a public pulmonary disease clinic between April and June 2010. A revised version of Health Belief Model scale for asthma treatment and another scale, which was developed to determine the opinion and observations of patients regarding the success of treatment, are used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean score of attitudes and perceptions of asthma patients, which is defined with the Health Belief Model and which can affect their responsiveness to treatment, is found out 3,37(±0,38) and the attitude and perceptions of patients are positive. The mean value for success treatment is 2,35(±0,49). Since the treatment is deemed to be more successful as it gets closer to 1 hence it can be said that the opinion of asthma patients regarding the success of treatment is positive. In the study, it is found out that the participants have a high admission rate to hospitals and that there is no significant difference for socio-demographic characteristics in the positive attitude development and in their belief in the efficiency of the treatment that they are receiving, of which both are components of health belief model concept. The findings from regression analysis indicate that the duration of the asthma sickness and the number of people living in the household not only affect the perceptions and attitudes of patients that are investigated by health belief model, but also the effectiveness of the treatment and the number of admissions to the Emergency Room in the last 6 months. CONCLUSION: In order to prevent long-term complications, the behavior and attitudes of asthma patients, especially the young ones, regarding asthma should be determined and detailed programs should be organized to educate and inform them. Treatment models, which would enable to receive treatment whilst not to cause any problem in their social and professional life's, should be investigated.