FACTORS INFLUENCING SELF-MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS AMONG ADULTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Self-management behaviors were important for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, information about COPD self-management among this group of people is limited in Sri Lanka. This research aimed to describe the level of self-management behaviors and determine whether dyspnea, perceived stress, COPD knowledge, and perceived social support can influence self-management behaviors among adults with mild to moderate COPD in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 108 adults with mild to moderate COPD who visited the central chest clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Five self-administered questionnaires were used including demographic data, the COPD Self-Management Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the COPD Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple linear regression were used to analyze data.

The results of this study showed that the mean score of the self-management scale was 3.04 (SD = 0.35) out of 5, indicating a moderate level. The regression analysis revealed that COPD self-management behaviors were significantly predicted by dyspnea (β = .212, p = .006), perceived stress (β = -.195, p = .018), COPD knowledge (β = .263, p = .001), and perceived social support (β = .366, p = .000). It can explain 41.7% of the variance in self-management among adults with mild to moderate COPD in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The study findings provide evidence for healthcare providers to develop the interventional program aimed to reduce dyspnea and perceived stress and improve the level of disease knowledge and social support to promote good self-management behaviors among adults with mild to moderate COPD.

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