Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a severe problem of public health. According to the project Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease GOLD, a global initiative that started activities in 1998 for diagnosing, handle and prevention of COPD, the disease is considered common, preventable and treatable. it is distinguished by chronic obstruction of the airflow, progressive and not entirely reversible, associated by an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to the inhalation of particles and toxic gases, besides other risk factors like environmental pollution, poor socioeconomic condition and childhood grave respiratory infections, being smoking one of the main risk factors of the disease [1] [2] [3].

COPD has no cure and is associated with frequent exacerbations, which requires many hospitalizations and causes a great assistance load [4] [5]. It is the most costly respiratory disease to the Unique Health System (SUS). It is estimated that the cost of hospitalizations represents between 40% - 57% of the total direct costs generated by these individuals, reaching 63% in severe cases. Despite the alarming data, the impact of COPD is sometimes underestimated because the pathology is not usually recognized and diagnosed until it is clinically evident and at an advanced stage. This, many individuals have never heard anything about this [4]. An education component in the management of chronically diseased individuals care has a fundamental role in that health help and may minimize the disease impact [5]. Strategies to raise access to information by the population about the disease and the management of their health risk factors, care, and other components make themselves an important approach to Health Education [4] [5].

In Brazil, The Ministry of Health (2014), is responsible for the organization and elaboration of plans and public policies facing promotion, prevention, and help to national health [6] [7]. In this way, the Ministry of Health must include health education in its strategies [8] [9]. However, according to the ministry, the exercise of health education must involve 3 segments of priority players: health professionals, reinforcing the prevention measures and health promotion the same way as the curative practices, informing their patients all about the disease and their health, empowering them about the care. Managers behind the health professionals and the population who need to build up knowledge and raise the autonomy in the individual and collective care [9]. It’s possible that in Brazil these strategies present a great distance between rhetoric and practice, and can’t cover important health chronic conditions, like COPD.

Thus, the study guiding question was: Are a group of individuals with COPD under pneumatological treatment receiving information about their illness? This group was analyzed about the knowledge of the main causes of the disease, how was the treatment; how they were receiving info about the disease and who gave that information.

The collected data were registered on Google Docs. The data analysis was done on Microsoft Excel, mainly to statistical calculation. For the research participants’ characterization analysis, a group data frequency distribution was used. The number of classes was obtained using the Sturges Formula (seven classes). From this distribution, a histogram was built for representation and calculated the measure of the central tendency (average, mode, and median) and the separatrixes (quarts). For the other variables related to the investigation about COPD, we used Google Docs graphics for analysis, for the answers of the questionnaire were the yes/no type.

This study has provided information about the level of knowledge of a group with COPD, that was undergoing medical treatment at a university hospital based in Manaus, had about COPD and where this knowledge was acquired. The sample had the number of 75 individuals with an average age of 70 years, and it was observed that 22.67% of the sample belonged to the age group between 55 and 65 years and 29.33% was between 75 and 85 years, the data referring to age are shown in Graphic 1, mostly women, with basic and secondary education, as shown in Graphic 2, and with an average time of diagnosis of the disease of 6.8 years.

Most individuals in the sample reported having acquired knowledge and a certain sense about the disease, through information provided first by doctors, then by physiotherapists. It was also known that after the information type was acquired from doctors, TV and radio were the means of communication in which the participants most declared to receive information about COPD, followed by the internet. Campaigns and booklets were declared by a small portion of the sample, as shown in Graphic 3 and Figure 1. Most declared to receive information and guidance on how to live life in a healthier way.

COPD is a complex disease, which requires a lot of care, and has to be managed by a multidisciplinary team, with integrated treatment programs. Humanized reception is recommended, highlighting the role of health education, with guidance on the disease, treatment and reduction of predisposing factors [1] [10] [11]. Pharmacological therapy for COPD is used to reduce symptoms, control the frequency

S: The number of 75 individuals with an average age of 70 years; observed that 22.67% of the sample belonged to the age group between 55 and 65 years and 29.33%; was between 75 and 85 years. According to the education level, 42.7% presented complete primary education, followed by 34.7% that completed high school.

Graphic 1. Sample distribution according to the age, median and quartiles frequency (Qi).

Graphic 2. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

and severity of exacerbations, in addition to improving exercise tolerance and health. However, despite the essentiality of pharmacology in the treatment of COPD, there are other adjuvant resources [1]. Our results, suggest that the line of treatment adopted for the research participants, probably, is medical-pharmacological centered, since most patients believed, that there is treatment for COPD, and all declared that this treatment it is medicated, as observed in Graphic 4 and Graphic 5.

S: The information about disease 61.3% acquired knowledge and a certain healthy life; This information provided first by doctors 95.50%, then by physiotherapists 42.40% receive information COPD.

Graphic 3. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

S: The participants declared 98.7% treatment adopted; all declared 100% that treatment it is medicated.

Graphic 4. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

Graphic 5. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

Generating an Action Plan would help to identify practical ways to educate the public about COPD. To reach a great impact on the multiple factors that interfere in the health-disease process, it is essential that the care for these patients is conducted by a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team, in order to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment [11] [12]. Smoking is the most commonly found risk factor and easily identifiable as a risk of developing COPD [1] [13]. On Gold’s recommendation, interrupting the praxis of smoke is considered the fundamental intervention for COPD patients who smoke. In Graphic 6 and Graphic 7, we observed that our results showed that most interviewees reported having knowledge about this subject and considered that being a smoker or a former smoker is a factor that causes COPD. However, most did not know that living with a smoker is a factor that can also predispose the individual to present with COPD [1] [12] [13].

Regarding the importance of vaccination, most respondents are related to the knowledge of this information, based on Graphic 8 and Figure 2. COPD patients contract recurrent bacterial and viral infections, it makes that population relatively immune deficient compared to healthy people [14]. Therefore, annual influenza vaccination has become universally recommended in the COPD guidelines [15]. Besides reducing serious diseases such as respiratory tract infections, anti-influenza and anti-pneumococcal vaccination reduces the likelihood of exacerbations of COPD [1]. COPD patients who were vaccinated against influenza showed a 52% reduction in hospitalizations and a 70% mortality rate [16].

S: The results 92% showed that most interviewees reported having knowledge about a smoker is a factor that causes COPD; most participants 62.7% did not know that living with a smoker causes or worsen the COPD.

Graphic 6. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

Graphic 7. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

S: The importance of vaccination, 81.3% most respondents are related to the knowledge of this information; Most participants 68.30% related informed by doctors about vaccination.

Graphic 8. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is considered one of the most important non-pharmacological treatments for COPD, because comprise both the chronic and progressive characteristics of this disease [16]. However, according to Graphic 9 and Figure 3, only 56% of the participants declared knowledge of this benefit. Combined interventions for the management of COPD include: behavior modification, such as interrupting the praxis of smoke and physical exercise, psychological support, education of the patient regarding his disease and health, and psychosocial assistance, aiming to maintain the maximum level of independence and its functional capacity before society [17] [18]. PR is an important part of the clinical management of COPD, from it can manage exacerbations, improve the perception of symptoms, exercise capacity and quality of life for individuals [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]. In addition, it is argued that PR generates positive psychological changes, characterized by improved functional skills and increased motivation related to life [13].

The medical society has been making a wide dissemination of COPD in the media [23] [24]. Our results showed that medical professionals were the ones who most offered information to patients. However, Graphic 10 shows that the majority of the sample stated that they had not received information through the media, and of those who did, most were on TV or radio, followed by the internet, declaring little information received through booklets and campaigns according Figure 4.

The increase in access to health information online, the role of the internet has grown as a means of communication. It can provide opportunities for the use of information and communication technologies in a manner applied to patient education. However, it is important that this information is organized by the Ministry of Health, due to the risk of wrong or adverse information. Therefore, in a systematic and planned way, all technologies are seen positively in the contribution to health education [19] [20]. Cyberspace allows access to information at a level considerably higher than that allowed by any other communication environment and also influences the political life of society through the creation of a new form of participation in the public space, cyber democracy [25] [26].

S: only 56% of the participants declared knowledge of this benefit; This participants 97.70% informed by doctors about benefit the pulmonary rehabilitation.

Graphic 9. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

S: the majority 56% received information when accessed the internet to know about COPD; compared other social media TV and radio 51.70% receive information according search.

Graphic 10. Percentage of research participants with COPD.

This reality is already visibly present in social media, where users are motivated to expose their opinions, to participate and share information. It is in this reality of intense mutual collaboration, of unceasing sharing of content, that the area of communication and health has developed.

However, regarding health education offered by the Ministry of Health through its website, our results showed that the minority had knowledge about the page of the Ministry of Health and that they did not use it to obtain information about your health condition. Some participants even showed a lack of interest in accessing the page and others were unaware of this type of information, as shown in Graphic 11.

Educational content is understood as the entire process of constitution of political and social awareness, not television programs that only reproduce teaching formal classroom [27]. Media technologies can be didactic media, depending on the intentions that guide them [28]. Therefore, for health education through social media, it is important to consider the influence of education and the interaction between the three different areas: Communication, Education and Health [27] [28].

According to the data obtained in this study, the most used means of communication for information about the disease and the participants’ self-care were

S: The results showed 22% obtain information in website the Ministry of Health, that did not use information about your health condition; The participants 13.30% according search have of interest.

Graphic 11. Questions about information of The Ministry of Health webpage.

magazines, TV, radio and internet. However, at the local level, there are almost no campaigns or reports about COPD, and it is up to the citizen to seek and filter information according to their interest.

According with the studied sample the possible talk to about prevention to reduce the influence of chronic disease if the use to tobacco for the population through educational programs and campaigns against smoking [28].

Based on the studies consulted, the use of cigarettes during adult life over the years develops the disease, followed by exposure to inhalation of chemicals, however, cigarettes have more damage and prevention is believed to play an important role in reducing number of COPD patients [28].

Along with the studied sample it was possible to conclude that in general, patients diagnosed with COPD, received meaningful information about that pathology, in most cases from their doctors, after that from their physiotherapists. However, relevant subjects as if practice of physical activity, nutrition and pulmonary recovery should be better informed to individuals. Despite the character of Ministry of Health, publishing information about education in health, the majority of the individuals get that important statements directly from their doctors then awareness campaign about the COPD.

The knowledge about the profile and the context of the patients is crucial to determinate and trace strategies about COPD of a systemic picture, thereby, optimizing the treatment and reducing the increased numbers of diagnosis to the disease. For communicational ecosystems, the intertwining of the surrounded systems becomes important to develop more strategies capable of that involve, information, prevention and good communication practices, traced from the dissemination of information about COPD on social media for the knowledge of the population.

The research CAPES, CNPQ and FAPEAM, acknowledgements by financial support for this work. Araújo Lima ambulatory for allowing the research to be carried out. One special thanks to Dr. Socorro Cardoso, by support and contribution for this research. To all patients which collaborated for this result.

Communication Sciences and Health Sciences Master programs and professors, thank you so much, by supporting and developing this master, in special my advisors. My advisor Dr. Roberta Gonçalves Lins for the orientations, patience, help, dedication, competence and support which were essential for my personal and professional growth and finalization of this work. My advisor Dr. Wilson Souza Nogueira for the orientations, patience, comprehension and empathy, besides shared knowledge, they were essential for development of this work.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cardoso, L.A., Gonçalves, R.L., Sanches, F.F., do Socorro Lucena Cardoso, M., de Souza Nogueira, W., de Oliveira Andrade, E., da Costa, E.C., Gonçalves, D.G., de Sousa Veras Barbosa, J., da Silva, L.N. and do Vale, E.G.L. (2020) Health Education for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Observational Study. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 8, 60-71. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojtr.2020.83006