A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice about Respiratory Diseases in Tumkur Region

The respiratory system is one of the most vital systems in the human body, responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that sustains life. This system includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

It ensures that oxygen enters the bloodstream to fuel cells and tissues, while also removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. Because of its direct exposure to the external environment, the respiratory system is highly vulnerable to various infectious agents, allergens, pollutants, and chronic health conditions. Disorders affecting this system are commonly referred to as respiratory diseases.

Respiratory diseases represent a significant global health concern. They affect people of all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds, and their burden is particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare resources may be limited. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of millions of people suffer from chronic respiratory conditions, while acute infections like pneumonia remain among the leading causes of death in children under five years old. The prevalence of these diseases is also increasing due to rising pollution levels, smoking habits, occupational hazards, and lifestyle changes.

RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASES

1. UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASE (URTD):

Effects of the upper part of the respiratory system

• Common cold
• Sinusitis
• Pharyngitis
• Laryngitis
• Tonsillitis
• Corona virus

PATHOLOGY OF UPPER RESPOIRATORY TRACT INFECTION

• Owning the great number of different viruses cause URIs
• It is probable that the histopathological changes during virous viral infection

EXAMPLE:

• Influenza virus is thought to have an extensive direct cytopathic effect on respiratory epithelium.
• Which leads to degeneration of epithelial cells and parading the relative role of viruses in this condition will expand.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

DIAGNOSIS

• Symptoms Assessment: Doctors will inquire about your symptoms, their duration, and any recent exposure to sick individuals. Common symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever and general malaise.
• Medical History: The health care provider will ask about your medical history, including any chronic condition or recent illnesses, to understanding your health status.
• Physical Examination: This involves checking signs of disease in your ear, nose and throat. They may use stethoscope to listen to your breathing and check for any abnormal sounds in your lungs.
• Further Testing: In case where symptoms are severe or complication are suspected and additional test like:
• Sputum Test: If there is a persistent cough, a sample of mucus may be collected to check for bacteria.
• CT scan: To get more detail images of the lungs, especially if there’s a suspicion of a more serious condition.
• Bronchoscopy: In rare case, a thin, flexible tube with a camera may be inserted into the airway to visualize and potentially collect sample for testing.

DRUG TREATMENT

2. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASE

Affects the lower airways, including the:

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Asthma
• Lung abscess

PATHOLOGY OF LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASE

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Diagnosis:

• Symptoms Assessment: A doctor will usually diagnose a lower respiratory infection. during an exam and after discussing the symptoms a person has and how long they have been present.
• During the exam, the doctor will listen to the person’s chest and breathing through  stethoscope.
• The doctor may order tests to help diagnose the problem, such as: 
• Pulse oximetry to find how much oxygen is in the blood.
• chest X-rays to check for pneumonia.
• blood tests to check for bacteria and viruses.
• mucus samples to look for bacteria and viruses.

DRUG TREATMENT

AIM:

A Descriptive study to assess the knowledge and practice about respiratory disease in Tumkur region

OBJECTIVES:

• To assess the knowledge and practice among different respiratory diseases
• To educate the community about respiratory diseases and its complications
• To educate the community about the primary prevention of respiratory disease
• To compare the knowledge and practices regarding respiratory tract disease

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Study site:

• The study will be carried out in the community of Tumkur region.

Duration of study:

• The study will be conducted for 3 months.

Study design:

• Descriptive observation study.

Purposed sample size:

• More than 230.

Source of data:

• Direct interaction with patient
• Patient case study sheets

Study criteria:

• The study was carried out by considering the following inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria:

• Patient age more than 18 years.
• Both the gender.
• Patient diagnosed with (or) without respiratory disease.
• Those who willing to participate the study.

Exclusion criteria:

• Age below 18 years.
• Special population (pregnancy and lactating woman).
• Patient who are having communicable diseases like (HIV & AIDS).
• Those who are not willing to participate in the study.

Study procedure:

• Regarding this project piolet study has been done.
• Collection and review of literature prepare to the project.
• Prepare the study protocol including the study design and design of perform.
• Enrolment of patients according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Taken patient consent.
• Collection of patient details from the direct interaction with patient and patient case sheet.
• Assess the knowledge and practice with the help of questionaries.
• Provide the counselling to the patient.
• Provide patient information leaflets.
• The obtain information was analysed and represented in the form of table and graphs and data was analysed statically.
• Submission of report.

Materials used:

• Informed consent form
• Patient profile form
• K and P questionaries

Methods:

• Data were collected from patient profile documents.
• The medical history consisting of in-patient, medical, records was reviewed.
• Data was recorded as patient demographic information, clinical status, duration of disease and type of complication

Results:

A descriptive study was collected for 3 months among respiratory diseases participants residing in Tumkur region on the community basis. a total number of 250 participants during the study period. out of 250 participants, 134 (53.6) were males and 116 (49.4) were females.

Table 01: Distribution of patients according to gender

Table 2: Distribution of patients according to age groups

Distribution of 250 participants based on social habits was in 3 categories namely Smokers, Alcoholic, and smoker and Alcoholic. Among 250 participants were neither smokers nor alcoholic and   were found to be smokers and alcoholic

Table 03: Distribution of participants based on social habits

Table 04: Assessment of knowledge

Table 05: Assessment of practice

Comparison of YES response between assessment of knowledge & practice Questionaries

Yes, response is compared between both assessment of knowledge and assessment of practice Questionaries. In these 69.05% participants showed response for assessment of knowledge questionaries and only 52.4% participants showed response for assessment of practice questionaries.

DISCUSION