Determining the intention to avoid factors causing symptoms and the symptom burden in those who are diagnosed with copd

This study was carried out to determine the intention to get away from the factors that cause symptoms and the symptom burden in those diagnosed with COPD. The data of the descriptive and cross-sectional study were collected from 225 COPD patients admitted to a public hospital. The data of the study were collected using the "Personal Information Form", "COPD Assessment Test (CAT)" and "Avoidance of Exposure Scale". Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression analysis and Scheffe test were applied to evaluate the data. According to research data, it was determined that the trigger that worsened patients' symptoms the most was respiratory tract infections with 56.9%, air change with 37.3%, and air pollution and irritating odor with 34.2%. It was determined that the mean CAT score of the patients was high at 28.24±7.07, the intention to stay away from exposure was low at 2.74±1.36, the most effective factor on the intention was the attitude towards the behavior, and the subjective norm did not have an effect on the intention. It has been determined that illiterate people living in the district have high symptom burdens, respiratory tract infections, air change and air pollution worsen symptoms, patients' symptom burden levels are high and their intentions to avoid exposure are low. Triggers and practices related to avoiding triggers are recommended for COPD patients. Key words: COPD, Precipitating Factors, Intention, Symptom Burden, Nursing