Spacing Effect-based Educational Interventional Strategy to Improve Asthma Knowledge among Biomedical Students in a Private Malaysian University

Background: Asthma is a serious non-communicable disorder where the inflammation of the airways passages occurs and cause narrowing of the airways. Statistic shows approximately two millions asthmatic patients in Malaysia. So, it is important to test the knowledge of asthma among Malaysian particularly biomedical students. As biomedical students can increase the knowledge of public by educate patient and solves medical related trouble in the foreseeable future. Interventional strategies are used in this study to improve knowledge of asthma patients by providing knowledge via brochure. Objectives: To assess the potential for asthma knowledge improvement among the respondents by means of the spacing effect-based educational interventional tool. Methodology: An interventional, descriptive and longitudinal study was conducted among biomedical students. 250 eligible respondents participated in the study. Initially, a self- administered questionnaire related to asthma knowledge was used to assess students’ knowledge towards asthma (baseline study). Interventional tool (brochure) was distributed 1 week after collecting the returned questionnaire. In phase-2, the same questionnaire was distributed again one week after the distribution of brochure. Data collected from the respondents was analysed and interpreted. Results: The scores grade of the respondent showed ‘poor’ grade during the baseline study and ‘moderate’ grade during the second phase study. Hence, the score grade proved that asthma knowledge among the sample improved from baseline study to phase-2 study. Conclusion: The knowledge, perception, practice of asthma will be improved with the interventional tool and the spacing effect.