Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward atrial fibrillation among patients

Proper self-management is essential to the prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study explored the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward atrial fibrillation among patients.

An online questionnaire survey enrolled patients with AF who visited Lishui Central Hospital between September 2022 and May 2023. The questionnaire was self-designed and administered for data collection and KAP assessment.

A total of 486 valid questionnaires were collected from AF patients (265 males, aged 72.85 ± 11.69 years). Their mean KAP scores were 5.48 ± 3.09 (possible range: 0 ~ 13), 33.00 ± 4.58 (possible range: 8 ~ 40), and 47.87 ± 5.49 (possible range: 11 ~ 55), respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that knowledge was positively correlated to attitude (r = 0.331, P < 0.001) and practice (r = 0.207, P < 0.001) scores. Attitude was positively correlated to practice (r = 0.366, P < 0.001). After adjustment, the mediation analysis demonstrated that knowledge directly influenced attitude (β = 0.396, P < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.176, P = 0.025). Attitude directly influenced practice (β = 0.365, P = 0.011). Knowledge was directly influenced by age (β=-0.042, P = 0.014), marital status (β = 1.372, P = 0.012), and education (β = 0.574, P = 0.012). Attitude was directly influenced by marital status (β = 1.984, P = 0.008), residence (β = 1.317, P = 0.020), and drinking (β=-2.416, P = 0.004). Practice was directly influenced by drinking (β=-2.149, P = 0.008). Several factors also indirectly influenced the KAP dimensions.

Patients with AF had poor knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices toward their diseases. Age, education, marital status, residence, and drinking might influence their KAP. This study identified patient categories that would benefit from educational interventions on AF to improve their prognosis.