American Journal of Advances in Medical Science Vol-3: No-4: 2015 www.arnaca.com Page27 American Journal of Advances in Medical Science www.arnaca.com eISSN: 2347-2766 pISSN: 2454-9061 A Descriptive study on level of knowledge of physical activity among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in selected hospital in M alaysia Kavitha Ramanathan *1 , Lee Sin Yee 2 , Susie W ong Ling Yii 3 1 JalanJalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, International Medical University 2 Jalan Pangkor, George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Gleneagles Hospital, Penang,Malaysia 3 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Singapore 30843 Abstract Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has become a major public health concern worldwide due to its rising prevalence, morbidity and mortality. Physical activity in COPD patients is recognized as an important health behavior in terms of benefits in quality of life and survival. In the present study, a non-experimental descriptive research approach was carried to assess the level of knowledge of physical activity among adult patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease. It is evident from the outcome of the present study that 57% of the patients were not given information regarding physical activity amongst COPD patients, and 43% of them reported fair level of knowledge on physical activity. Key words: COPD, Physical activity, quality of life Cite this article as: Kavitha Ramanathan,Lee Sin Yee,Susie Wong Ling Yii. A Descriptive study on level of knowledge of physical activity among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in selected hospital in Malaysia. American Journal of Advances in Medical Sci ence. 2015; 3(4):27-31. Source of Support: : International Medical University (IMU) Conflict of Interest : None declared 1.0 Introduction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has become a major public health concern worldwide due to its rising prevalence, morbidity and mortality [1]. COPD is a progressive, chronic and debilitating disease [2] that can be prevented and treated provided appropriate measures are taken which is popularly known as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] [3,4]. In Malaysia, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in 2002 with 5% of mortality [5]. In 2002, COPD was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia and Canada [6]. In United Kingdom, COPD leads to nearly 30,000 deaths per year which is around 1 in 20 deaths [7]. COPD is predicted to be the third leading cause of death globally by 2030. In 2005 it was estimated that 3 million people died of COPD worldwide with an average of one person killed every 10 seconds [8]. In Singapore, total percentage of discharges from hospitalization due to COPD was 2.2% (World Health Organization [5]. The admission rates have increased by 50% between 1991 and 2000 due to exacerbation among COPD patients [2]. The cost of COPD averages Original Research Article