Table 1. Baseline characteristics
CharacteristicsIntervention, n (%) Control, n (%)
Clusters
Total1515
Doctors
Male15 (100.0)15 (100.0)
Female0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Paramedics
Male15 (100.0)15 (100.0)
Female0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Participants
Total159 (50.8)154 (49.2)
Mean cluster size, ±SD10.60 ± 3.8510.27 ± 3.90
Male122 (76.7)111 (72.1)
Female37 (23.3)43 (27.9)
Mean age, years, ±SD48.11 ± 13.8948.47 ± 12.86
Not educated104 (70.7)102 (72.3)
Primary (grade 1–5)16 (10.9)15 (10.6)
Secondary (grade 6–12)24 (16.3)22 (15.6)
Above secondary (grade >12)3 (2.0)2 (1.4)
Mean BMI, kg/m2, ±SD22.47 ± 4.7922.45 ± 5.93
Diagnosed with COPD159 (100.0)154 (100.0)
Smoker59 (37.11)54 (35.06)
Mean BODE index score, ±SDa3.85 ± 1.943.78 ± 1.88
Mean PEFR value, ±SD232.97 ± 100.88246.81 ± 108.73
Mean weight, kg, ±SD58.69 ± 13.1858.24 ± 14.09
Mean height, inches, ±SD63.68 ± 3.8363.63 ± 3.85
  • aSpirometry was done by an external assessor within 15 days of diagnosis and/or registration.

  • BODE = Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnoea, Exercise capacity. BMI = body mass index. COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PEFR = peak expiratory flow rate. SD = standard deviation.