Need assessment of remote monitoring system for asthmatic patients .Case study of Nyamata district hospital and 5 health centers

Abstract

Background of the study: Approximately 300 million individuals worldwide are currently affected by asthma, and its prevalence is increasing by 50% every decade. Poor adherence to treatment is closely linked to these exacerbations, contributing to up to 60% of asthma-related hospitalizations. Rwanda has decentralized non-communicable diseases (NCDs), to the primary level, ensuring continuous follow-up and medical refills for asthmatic patients at health centers. However, there are still many patients who miss their appointment and have poor adherence to treatment. The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Rwanda has implemented of various electronic medical records (EMR) systems in district hospitals across Rwanda which has significantly improved healthcare services in the country. Thus, need of remote monitoring system for asthmatic patients was assessed

The main objective: To Assess the need of remote monitoring system among asthmatic patients and identify the requirement for the desired system.

Methodology of the study: A quantitative descriptive cross section study was used in this study and was conducted at selected District Hospital and Health Center among asthmatic patients who visited and get treatment at the selected Health Facilities during the study period and the healthcare providers in charge of NCDs. One hundred and thirty asthmatic patients (130) and nine 9 health professionals were recruited and included in this study using Yamane’s formula and simple random sampling strategy and the data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. . Results: Showed that 95.4%, 92.3% and 93.9% respectively thought that there is a need for continuous health education on asthma self-management and triggers, need of reminding them time of taking their medicine and time of their appointments. Also 100% of Health care provider in charge of NCDs thought that there is need of continuous health education, need for reminder patients time of taking medicine and of their appointments

Conclusion: Generally, this study revealed that there is a great need of remote monitoring system for asthmatic patients and Health care provider in charge of NCDs. Key words: Asthma, Asthmatic patients, Healthcare Providers, health education