The burden of illness resulting from adverse environmental exposure is significant. Numerous studies have examined self-care behaviors among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but seldom assess these behaviors in relation to air pollution. The study aims to examine the effects of particulate matter (PM) education on prevention and self-care knowledge regarding air pollution, symptom changes, and indoor PM concentration levels among patients with COPD. A longitudinal, quasi-experimental design using a generalized estimating equation examined the effectiveness of the education intervention. Participants were 63 patients with COPD, of whom only 25 received intervention. Levels of PM2.5 and PM10 decreased in the first-month follow-up in the experimental group. Improvement of knowledge and prevention regarding PM in the first and third months were also greater in the experimental group compared to the control. Regarding the COPD assessment test and physical domain scores, the experimental group exhibited a greater improvement in the first-month follow-up. Scores on the psychological domain significantly changed in the sixth-month follow-up. The PM education coordinated by nurses improved the health of participants, maintaining six-month effects. Further studies should evaluate the practice barriers and effects of health education on preventive self-care behaviors regarding indoor PM among patients with COPD.
Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; health education; particulate matter; self-care management.