BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its determinants in the general population of Spain, and to compare it with a similar survey conducted in 2002. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study in September 2011 by means of a telephone interview with a representative sample of individuals aged 40-80 years living in all 17 regions of Spain. RESULTS: A total of 6,528 responses were obtained (response rate of 13.1%), 53% of respondents were females with a mean age of 59.8 years. Regarding tobacco use, 19.4% were current smokers while 27.9% reported being former smokers. Only 17.0% spontaneously recognized the term «COPD». Valencia was the region with the highest degree of ignorance regarding COPD (91%), while Aragon had the lowest (73.7%). Nevertheless, COPD is considered a severe disease, following angina pectoris in severity. Upon comparing these results with the previous survey from 2002, we observed significant improvements in the knowledge and understanding of COPD (8.6% vs. 17.0%), with a marked variability between the regions (P<.05). Currently, only 4.7% of the Spanish population knows that there is a National Strategy for COPD, although 86.0% have a favorable or very favorable opinion about the new Anti-tobacco Law. CONCLUSION: The lack of knowledge about COPD and its determinants in the general population remains high compared to 2002; thus, more and better educational and awareness programs are necessary.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its determinants in the general population of Spain, and to compare it with a similar survey conducted in 2002. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study in September 2011 by means of a telephone interview with a representative sample of individuals aged 40-80 years living in all 17 regions of Spain. RESULTS: A total of 6,528 responses were obtained (response rate of 13.1%), 53% of respondents were females with a mean age of 59.8 years. Regarding tobacco use, 19.4% were current smokers while 27.9% reported being former smokers. Only 17.0% spontaneously recognized the term «COPD». Valencia was the region with the highest degree of ignorance regarding COPD (91%), while Aragon had the lowest (73.7%). Nevertheless, COPD is considered a severe disease, following angina pectoris in severity. Upon comparing these results with the previous survey from 2002, we observed significant improvements in the knowledge and understanding of COPD (8.6% vs. 17.0%), with a marked variability between the regions (P<.05). Currently, only 4.7% of the Spanish population knows that there is a National Strategy for COPD, although 86.0% have a favorable or very favorable opinion about the new Anti-tobacco Law. CONCLUSION: The lack of knowledge about COPD and its determinants in the general population remains high compared to 2002; thus, more and better educational and awareness programs are necessary.
Authors: Maria Conceição de Castro Antonelli Monteiro de Queiroz; Maria Auxiliadora Carmo Moreira; Jose R Jardim; Maria Alves Barbosa; Ruth Minamisava; Heicilainy Del Carlos Gondim; Flávia Castro Velasco; Maria Vitoria Carmo Penhavel Journal: Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis Date: 2014-12-17
Authors: Shamil Mm Haroon; Rachel E Jordan; Joanne O'Beirne-Elliman; Peymane Adab Journal: NPJ Prim Care Respir Med Date: 2015-08-27 Impact factor: 2.871
Authors: Javier Mohigefer; Carmen Calero-Acuña; Eduardo Marquez-Martin; Francisco Ortega-Ruiz; Jose Luis Lopez-Campos Journal: Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis Date: 2017-12-28