Wildfire Smoke Exposure Data and Nursing Interventions for Asthma

Background: Asthma, a respiratory disease, is greatly influenced by exposure to the environment, especially by wildfire smoke pollution. Exposure peril has increased with the global increase in wildfires, especially for the most vulnerable. Strategies of healthcare professionals to treat asthma play a pivotal role in symptoms and complication management, but the professionals may struggle when individuals encounter severe smoke exposure. Aim: The study aimed to explore the relationship between wildfire smoke exposure and the effectiveness of nursing interventions in asthma management at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals (SGTH). Methodology: The present study used a correlational approach with a convenience sample of 80 adult asthma patients. All participants had confirmed asthma and had resided in areas affected by wildfires. Subjects completed structured questionnaires that focused on smoke exposure, clinical outcomes, and the provision of nursing care. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 with Pearson’s correlation, which established a correlation among the variables studied. Significance was determined with a p-value < 0.05. Results: A moderate, inverse relationship between wildfire smoke exposure and effectiveness of nursing care interventions was evident (r = -0.47, p < 0.01). Higher smoke exposure was associated with increased asthma exacerbations and reduced outcomes of educational and environmental control interventions, as pharmaceutical treatments showed only mild losses. Conclusion: Exposure to wildfire smoke diminishes the efficacy of nursing measures for asthma treatment. Environmental hazards should also be considered in nursing care interventions to promote the best asthma management outcomes.