Effect of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) intervention on COPD awareness in a regional city in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on COPD awareness in a regional city in Japan.


METHODS
Self-administered questionnaires were completed by the residents of the city of Matsuura, Japan. Residents (≥50 years) of the mainland in Matsuura were included in a COPD intervention project (mainland group), while residents of the islands district received no intervention due to geographical issues (island group). The rates of COPD awareness and accuracy of responses to the questions about COPD were compared between the two groups.


METHODS
The study included 5,891 residents 40 to 74 years of age of Matsuura in 2013. The mainland group comprised 4,419 subjects, and the island group 1,472 included subjects.


RESULTS
The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 24.6%, with similar response rates between the two groups. The rate of COPD awareness in the mainland group was 24.5%, which was significantly higher than that observed in the island group (11.8%) (p<0.01). The rate of awareness tended to decrease in association with increasing age. Among 276 responders who stated they were aware of COPD, the accuracy rate for responses to the questions about COPD was not significantly different between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, there was a difference in COPD awareness between the two groups, suggesting that COPD interventions may increase awareness of the disease. However, the level of knowledge regarding COPD remained low and modifications to the intervention are required to improve awareness of the condition, especially among elderly subjects.
Department of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tagami Hospital, Japan.
Masaharu
M
Asai
Takako
T
Tanaka
Ryo
R
Kozu
Chika
C
Kitagawa
Mitsuru
M
Tabusadani
Hideaki
H
Senjyu
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires