Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Hypertensive Patients Regarding Prevention and Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Rawalpindi

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a global public health problem, with a prevalence of 26% in Pakistan. It is a leading risk factor that leads to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease. To develop health care policies for primary prevention of CKD, it is important to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices towards prevention and early detection of CKD. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of hypertensive patients towards prevention and early detection of CKD in public tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. The secondary objective was to determine the association between socio demographic factors and clinical factors with KAP of hypertensive patients towards early detection and prevention of CKD. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using close ended, structured and validated tool CKD screening index to determine the KAP of hypertensive patients from OPD and medicine wards of a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. The tool was made of 3 scales. The knowledge scale consisting of 22 items was dichotomous, while both attitudes and practice scale had 8 items and were 3 point Likert scales. Chi square test of statistical significance was used for determining associations between demographics and clinical variables and KAP. Results: A total of 296 hypertensive patients took place in study. Out of total participants (n=116; 39.2%) were males and (n=180; 60.8%) were females. Majority of participants, (n=143; 48.3%) were in age group > 45 years. The study revealed that (n=181; 61.1%) respondents had poor knowledge, (n=176; 59.5%) had poor attitudes and (n=187; 63.2%) had poor practices. Results of the Chi square analysis showed that knowledge was significantly associated with marital status (p value= 0.044) and educational status (p value<0.001). Attitude did not showed v significant associations with any independent variable. BMI (p value=.003) and other chronic diseases (p value= 0.026) were associated with practices. Conclusion: According to our results hypertensive patients lack knowledge about CKD and have unsatisfactory attitudes and poor practices towards its prevention. Knowledge is associated with marital and educational status. We need to improve our educational system and integrate information about CKD in national health programs, to create awareness about this disease. Practices are significantly associated with BMI and other chronic diseases. Mediums like television, social media and newspapers can be used for dispersing information about practices which lead to a healthy lifestyle and prevention of CKD. Keywords: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), chronic kidney disease (CKD), Hypertension, Early detection and prevention of CKD, Rawalpindi