Investigating impact of social media worldwide in promoting asthma health education among minority ethnics with asthma: Using digital leaflet

Study/aim:
Ethnic disparities on poor asthma management are well documented, with links to poor asthma management related to lack of engagement with clinicians, cultural beliefs and health literacy (Tackett et al., 2021). Consequently, poor management leads to exacerbation and death; with higher asthma death rates recorded among this group worldwide (Global Asthma Network, 2022). Increased death rate is not helped by the fact that there is no worldwide consensus on asthma diagnosis (Asher et al. 2020) thus impacting awareness and knowledge of asthma. The need for fast-paced and easily accessible asthma education and its awareness is therefore required to promote asthma knowledge. Social media sits in the space to deliver intended education. As it continues to excel as an education platform accessible around the world.

This paper aims to promote minority ethnic’s engagement with clinicians through knowledge improvement on asthma and related therapy.
Methods

Inclusion criteria: Articles published in English and dated between January 2014 to June 2024.

Data sources: Electronic searches of databases was performed in March 2024 using generated keywords from abstract title. Only six articles were returned from search. Initial database search in September 2023, also generated six articles of interest.

Data Analysis: Selected studies were reviewed and analysed using critical appraisal and thematic analysis.

Results/ findings
Empirical review of articles shows that among minority ethnics, a lack of patient education and interaction with clinicians correlates to rising rates of asthma exacerbation and death. No article was found that promoted consensus asthma definition, diagnosis, educational pathway on asthma management.

Implications for clinical Practice
These findings highlight the need to promote patient knowledge of asthma worldwide using a consensus definition and diagnosis. It highlights the need for further education of both professionals and patient on asthma, related therapies, and symptoms.

Next steps
Future research is planned to use qualitative methodology with Interpretative phenomenological research design. Information will be captured using semi-structured interviews. This will help explore the lived experience of people of minority ethnics who have asthma, their inhaler use, knowledge, and level of engagement with clinicians.