Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire

Background: Correct inhaler technique is vital for managing respiratory conditions like asthma. Patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are at higher risk of sub-optimal adherence and errors in inhaler technique. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the inhaler t...

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Main Authors: Malath Al-Juhaishi, Chiao Xin Lim, Ieva Stupans, Wejdan Shahin, Thilini R. Thrimawithana, Vincent Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmacy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/6
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author Malath Al-Juhaishi
Chiao Xin Lim
Ieva Stupans
Wejdan Shahin
Thilini R. Thrimawithana
Vincent Chan
author_facet Malath Al-Juhaishi
Chiao Xin Lim
Ieva Stupans
Wejdan Shahin
Thilini R. Thrimawithana
Vincent Chan
author_sort Malath Al-Juhaishi
collection DOAJ
description Background: Correct inhaler technique is vital for managing respiratory conditions like asthma. Patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are at higher risk of sub-optimal adherence and errors in inhaler technique. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the inhaler technique questionnaire for self-assessment of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique by assessing agreement between observed and self-reported techniques among Arabic-speaking individuals with asthma in Australia. Methods: Observational assessments of 30 participants using an MDI, followed by completion of the translated inhaler technique questionnaire by the same participants. The questionnaire comprised nine questions pertaining to the inhaler technique. The level of agreement between the observed and self-reported technique for each of the nine MDI technique steps was subsequently determined using intraclass correlation. Results: The majority of participants were women, aged 25–44 years (70%). An overall Kappa score of 0.768 indicated good agreement between observed and self-reported datasets, with stepwise agreement ranging from 52.4–100%. Steps involving taking a big breath before inhaler use (step 2) and exhaling slowly (step 8) were the least well correlated. Conclusions: The preliminary validated MDI inhaler technique questionnaire may be used as a self-assessment tool by Arabic speakers, aiding healthcare professionals, and empowering individuals living with asthma to self-manage their condition.
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spelling doaj-art-d5570d4cf1e94d56b548d8c2bc56b0b12025-08-20T03:12:15ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872025-01-01131610.3390/pharmacy13010006Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique QuestionnaireMalath Al-Juhaishi0Chiao Xin Lim1Ieva Stupans2Wejdan Shahin3Thilini R. Thrimawithana4Vincent Chan5Pharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaBackground: Correct inhaler technique is vital for managing respiratory conditions like asthma. Patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are at higher risk of sub-optimal adherence and errors in inhaler technique. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the inhaler technique questionnaire for self-assessment of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique by assessing agreement between observed and self-reported techniques among Arabic-speaking individuals with asthma in Australia. Methods: Observational assessments of 30 participants using an MDI, followed by completion of the translated inhaler technique questionnaire by the same participants. The questionnaire comprised nine questions pertaining to the inhaler technique. The level of agreement between the observed and self-reported technique for each of the nine MDI technique steps was subsequently determined using intraclass correlation. Results: The majority of participants were women, aged 25–44 years (70%). An overall Kappa score of 0.768 indicated good agreement between observed and self-reported datasets, with stepwise agreement ranging from 52.4–100%. Steps involving taking a big breath before inhaler use (step 2) and exhaling slowly (step 8) were the least well correlated. Conclusions: The preliminary validated MDI inhaler technique questionnaire may be used as a self-assessment tool by Arabic speakers, aiding healthcare professionals, and empowering individuals living with asthma to self-manage their condition.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/6inhaler techniquemetered-dose inhaler (MDI)asthma managementArabic-speaking populationsrespiratory health
spellingShingle Malath Al-Juhaishi
Chiao Xin Lim
Ieva Stupans
Wejdan Shahin
Thilini R. Thrimawithana
Vincent Chan
Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
Pharmacy
inhaler technique
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
asthma management
Arabic-speaking populations
respiratory health
title Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
title_full Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
title_fullStr Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
title_full_unstemmed Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
title_short Optimising Asthma Self-Management: Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the Inhaler Technique Questionnaire
title_sort optimising asthma self management preliminary validation of an arabic version of the inhaler technique questionnaire
topic inhaler technique
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
asthma management
Arabic-speaking populations
respiratory health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/6
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