Background:Chronic kidney disease is a public health problem with an increasing incidence and prevalence, poor outcomes, and high cost. Patient involvement forms the keystone in the management of chronic kidney disease. This study evaluated effects of pharmacist-provided counseling in dialysis patients in terms of their knowledge, attitude, and practice outcomes.Methods:A total of 64 patients with chronic kidney disease were enrolled into the prospective, pre–post study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients regarding chronic kidney disease were assessed and recorded via baseline questionnaire. Case group patients were counseled regarding chronic kidney disease, their medication, diet, and lifestyle, and they were also provided with informative leaflet, whereas in the control group patients, the pharmacist did not intervene. After 1-month intervention, knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of patients of both groups were measured using the same knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Effectiveness of counseling on case group patients was evaluated by comparing the mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores before and after counseling by paired t-test.Results:Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores before intervention were 8.16 ± 4.378, 38.19 ± 3.217, and 6.69 ± 0.896, respectively, and these scores were changed to 13.75 ± 3.510, 38.78 ± 3.035, and 6.91 ± 0.777, respectively, after the intervention (p < 0.05).Conclusions:The pharmacist-provided counseling is effective in improving knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients toward the disease management.

Introduction: Community prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) infection is low in Sri Lanka. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for HBV and HCV infections. We determined the prevalence and risk factors for HBV and HCV among CKD patients in two Teaching Hospitals in Sri Lanka. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out among CKD patients at Nephrology Units in Polonnaruwa and Ragama Teaching Hospitals. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60ml/min/1.73m 2. Consecutive, consenting adult CKD patients with at least one blood transfusion during the past five years were included. All participants were tested for HBsAg and HCV antibodies by ELISA. Those found to be positive for either underwent confirmatory PCR testing. Results: 232 patients were included [mean age 55.83 years; 156 (59.75%) males]. While 73 (31.47%) had schooled up to GCE Ordinary Level, 15 (6.47%) had never gone to school. 133 (57.33%) were currently employed. Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension were the causes of CKD in 137/232 (59.1%). 82/232 (35.3%) had CKD of uncertain aetiology. 153/232 (65.9%) were on hemodialysis and 6/232 (2.6%) had received a kidney transplant previously. Mean duration of illness was 47.8 months. Mean number of transfusions received was 3.85. One was an intravenous drug user, 3 had tattoos and 86/232 (37.1%) had practiced unsafe sex previously. 145/232 (62.5%) had previously received HBV vaccination and 67/232 (28.9%) had received 3 doses of the vaccine before first blood transfusion, hemodialysis or transplant. Sero-conversion testing was not done in 178/232 (76.7%). Six were previously HBsAg positive. On re-testing 4 were positive for HBsAg while none had HCV antibody positivity. All were negative for HBV-DNA on PCR testing. Conclusions: Active HBV and HCV infections were not detected in this cohort of CKD patients. Traditional risk factors were uncommon. Complete HBV vaccination was suboptimal and checking for seroconversion was low.