ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND PROVIDING EDUCATION ON CORRECT USE OF INHALERS TO ASTHMATIC PATIENTS AMONG SAINT PAUL’S MEDICAL INTERNS

Abstract

Abstract Asthma, a common chronic disorder of the airways, is a major global health problem affecting 339 million people worldwide, with death cases accounted for asthma were estimated to be around 460,000. It is a growing public health concern in Ethiopia, where rates of uncontrolled asthma remain as high as 71.67% due to factors such as poor inhaler technique. Inhalation therapy is the main method of asthma management; however, improper use of devices such as metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) continues to limit treatment effectiveness. Medical interns, as one of the primary healthcare providers, play an important role in administering inhalers and educating patients on correct use. Despite this, little is known about their competence, confidence, and teaching practices regarding inhaler use in Ethiopia. Objective This study aimed to assess the practice of Administration and providing education on correct use of inhalers to asthmatic patients among Saint Paul’s medical interns Methods A cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist to evaluate 90 of Saint Paul's interns’ practice with MDIs and DPIs. The study population was based on the medical Interns currently enrolled at SPHMMC 2017 E.C. The study period was from August to December 2025. Data was analyzed using SPSS, with results used to analyze their levels of practice. Results The results showed that from the 90 interns participating in the study, 40% of interns demonstrated poor MDI practice, 50% demonstrated poor DPI practice, and 55.6% demonstrated poor patient education practice. 36.7% of interns had poor knowledge, while 80% had a positive attitude. There was a significant association of knowledge with practice. Attitude was not significantly associated with practice, despite its generally positive level. Conclusion and Recommendation In conclusion, this study demonstrates that while medical interns at SPHMMC generally have positive attitudes toward inhaler use and patient education, significant gaps exist in knowledge and, more importantly, in practical skills. Knowledge was the strongest predictor of correct practice, whereas attitude alone was insufficient. It could be recommended that SPHMMC addresses these problems by incorporating practical inhaler training and regular competency assessments into internship curricula which may improve both technique and patient education practices, which will result in better asthma care and patient outcomes in Ethiopia. Keywords Metered-dose inhaler (MDI), Dry powder inhaler (DPI), Patient education, Medical interns, SPHMMC, Practice.