Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of COPD patients regarding acute exacerbations of COPD

This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) concerning AECOPD.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Yuexi County Hospital in Anhui Province, China, between April and December 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics and KAP assessments. Adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices were defined as achieving at least 60% of the maximum possible score in each domain.

A total of 445 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Among the respondents, 332 (74.61%) were male, and 271 (60.90%) had been diagnosed with COPD for over a decade. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 7.25 ± 4.43 (range: 0-26), 36.91 ± 4.56 (range: 11-55), and 30.59 ± 3.76 (range: 10-50), respectively. Correlation analysis showed positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.095, p = 0.045), knowledge and practice (r = 0.376, p < 0.001), and attitude and practice (r = 0.324, p < 0.001). SEM analysis demonstrated that knowledge directly influenced both attitude (β = 0.226, p = 0.036) and practice (β = 0.660, p = 0.008), while attitude also had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.299, p = 0.004). Additionally, knowledge exerted an indirect effect on practice through attitude (β = 0.067, p = 0.020).

Despite generally positive attitudes and proactive practices, COPD patients exhibited insufficient knowledge about AECOPD, which may limit their ability to effectively manage exacerbations. Targeted education may enhance self-care and reduce exacerbation risk.