| Characteristics | Intervention, n (%) | Control, n (%) |
| Clusters | ||
| Total | 15 | 15 |
| Doctors | ||
| Male | 15 (100.0) | 15 (100.0) |
| Female | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Paramedics | ||
| Male | 15 (100.0) | 15 (100.0) |
| Female | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Participants | ||
| Total | 159 (50.8) | 154 (49.2) |
| Mean cluster size, ±SD | 10.60 ± 3.85 | 10.27 ± 3.90 |
| Male | 122 (76.7) | 111 (72.1) |
| Female | 37 (23.3) | 43 (27.9) |
| Mean age, years, ±SD | 48.11 ± 13.89 | 48.47 ± 12.86 |
| Not educated | 104 (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, ±SD | 22.47 ± 4.79 | 22.45 ± 5.93 |
| Diagnosed with COPD | 159 (100.0) | 154 (100.0) |
| Smoker | 59 (37.11) | 54 (35.06) |
| Mean BODE index score, ±SDa | 3.85 ± 1.94 | 3.78 ± 1.88 |
| Mean PEFR value, ±SD | 232.97 ± 100.88 | 246.81 ± 108.73 |
| Mean weight, kg, ±SD | 58.69 ± 13.18 | 58.24 ± 14.09 |
| Mean height, inches, ±SD | 63.68 ± 3.83 | 63.63 ± 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.