Insights into Asthma Understanding and Medication Compliance: A Study of Knowledge and Adherence among the Lebanese Population

Pharmacy Practice

  • Nadia Al Mazrouei1Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics Department, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah.
  • Emilie Feghali2School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Farah El Husseiny2School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Sarah Cherri2School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Sara Mansour2School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Sami El Khatib3Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon., 4Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics (CAMB) at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Kuwait.
  • Ahmad El Ouweini5College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
  • Souheil Hallit6School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon., 7Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
  • Nada H. Farrag8School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire-Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Diana Malaeb5College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 1-9

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.2.3161

Abstract

Background: The causes of the global surge in asthma cases are still unknown. It has been hypothesized that trigger factors and non-adherence to inhaler devices hinder optimal asthma treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to the use of inhalers among Lebanese asthmatic patients and assess patient knowledge about asthma. Methods: This is a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted on adult patients with asthma recruited through community pharmacies in Lebanon. Participants filled out the questionnaire that assessed the adherence to the inhalers and evaluated their asthma knowledge. Results: Among 172 asthmatic patients with a mean age of 31.79 ± 20.92 years, 55.8% females, only 9.9% were adherent to asthma medications with a relatively low asthma knowledge (mean score of 66.74 ± 9.096). Significantly higher asthma knowledge scores were observed in married versus unmarried (p=0.027), in higher educational level compared to a lower level (p=0.039), and in individuals who sleep less than 6 hours/day compared to higher sleep hours (p=0.001). However, unmarried participants and individuals who sleep more than 6 hours/day had higher adherence to asthma medications with a p-value of 0.049) and 0.014. Regression results showed that higher educational level and individuals had significantly higher asthma knowledge scores (p=0.012), while patients who sleep more than 6 hours had lower knowledge scores (p=0.004). Conclusion: The study highlights that improper use of inhaler devices is common among enrolled participants. In addition, the study shows that the rate of non-adherence to the regimen is high and patients have a low level of knowledge about the proper use of the inhalers.

Keywords

  • asthma
  • adherence
  • inhaler devices
  • patients
Pharmacy Practice

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