The feasibility and acceptability of asthma self-management delivered through a mobile phone application. A pilot study (Asthma m-health)
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Date
2020-11-11
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study: Mixed methods pilot study
Problem: Despite the high rates of mortality and morbidity due chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs),
attention to this group of diseases is arguably insufficient both at global, regional and country level.
Globally asthma is a significant cause of reduced quality of life and death in all age groups across the
life span. Asthma ranks number 28 on the global burden of disease list and contributes substantially
to years lived with disability. In children is it the most common NCD and has devastating
socioeconomic consequences. Asthma management requires a long-term approach due its chronic
nature and the variability of asthma symptoms, triggers and exacerbations. Current guidelines
advocate for self-management as part of standard care. However low-income countries like Malawi
struggle to accommodate this practice due to shortage of resources. Emerging literature suggest
that LMICs particularly in Africa are experiencing an increase in the burden of disease which hinders
delivery of self-management services. Malawi is no exception to the escalating burden of asthma
amidst insufficient resources. Mobile phone health application (MHealth) have been reported to be
an effective and cost-effective tool in the monitoring and management of chronic disease like
asthma. This study therefore aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an asthma selfmanagement
mobile phone application in a resource-limited environment.
Methodology: This will be a mixed methods pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of
using a mobile phone application (AsthMWa) for asthma self-management. The study will recruit a
sample of 20 asthma patient aged 10-years and above, from the paediatric general clinic at Queen
Elizabeth Central Hospital. Participants will be issued a phone with a pre-installed application
(AsthMWa) which will collect information on medication use, self-assessment of symptoms and a
personal asthma action plan. Participants will also participate in semi structured interviews,
collecting data on acceptability, barriers to using the app and suggestions for modifications. We will
take informed consent and assent and adhere to strict data protection procedures.
Expected findings and dissemination: The study will determine the feasibility and acceptability of the
asthma mobile health in the self-management of asthma in a low resource setting. The qualitative
and quantitative results from this study will explore the ability of the application to collect the
intended information and the patients capability to use the app to manage their Asthma. These
results will also for a probable baseline for future research. The findings will be presented to
COMREC and the College of Medicine Research Dissemination Conference. In addition, findings will
also be presented at Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust and published in a peer-reviewed journal.