Evaluation of the Application Effect of the Health Belief Model in Inhaler Treatment for Elderly COPD Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of health education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in the management of inhalation treatment for elderly COPD patients. Method: A total of 75 elderly COPD patients who visited the Geriatric Medicine/General Medicine Department of the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from September 2020 to September 2021 were selected. Seven patients who were excluded due to reasons such as cognitive impairment and comorbidities that prevented inhalation therapy during the intervention were removed. Ultimately, 68 cases were included for health education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The usage scores of inhalation devices at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) scores, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) scores were compared. Results: After 3 months of intervention, the scores for inhalation device usage, MMAS-8, and SF-36 were higher than baseline. After 6 months of intervention, the scores for inhalation device usage, MMAS-8, and SF-36 were higher than both baseline and the scores after 3 months of intervention (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The health education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) can effectively improve the compliance and accuracy of inhalation treatment in elderly COPD patients, thereby enhancing prognosis and improving the patients' quality of life.