Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward postoperative self-management among kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Background Patient involvement is crucial to the success of kidney transplants. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward postoperative self-management among kidney transplant recipients. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ruijin Hospital (Shanghai, China) between March 24, 2023, and April 15, 2023 in kidney transplant recipients. A questionnaire was designed to collect data about the characteristics of the participants and their KAP toward postoperative self-management. KAP scores were calculated based on participants' responses, using predefined scoring criteria tailored to evaluate each dimension of KAP effectively. Results A total of 483 valid questionnaires were collected, including 189 (39.13%) participants aged between 46 and 60 years. The mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice were 23.44 ± 4.87 (possible range: 0–28), 43.59 ± 2.65 (possible range: 10–50), 52.52 ± 4.64 (possible range: 0–58), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed knowledge scores (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10–1.20, p < 0.001), attitude scores (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.12–1.32, p < 0.001) and undergone transplantation within 1 year (OR = 3.92, 95% CI = 1.60–9.63, p = 0.003) were independently associated with good practice. Knowledge scores (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02–1.10, p = 0.003), attitude scores (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.08–1.25, p < 0.001), aged 16–35 years (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.18–0.78, p = 0.009), underwent a single kidney transplant surgery (OR = 3.97, 95% CI = 1.28–12.38, p = 0.017) were independently associated with medication adherence. Conclusions Kidney transplant recipients had good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice toward postoperative self-management. Implementing personalized education, psychological support, and close monitoring strategies is recommended to optimize postoperative self-management in kidney transplant recipients.