Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward medical nutritional therapy among patients with chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face challenges in managing their nutritional needs. Understanding the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding medical nutritional therapy among these patients is crucial for improving outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the KAP regarding medical nutritional therapy among patients with CKD.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023 among patients with CKD. Patients' KAP concerning medical nutritional therapy were assessed, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the interrelationships among these KAP dimensions.

A total of 481 valid questionnaires were analyzed, including 254 (52.81%) males, and 329 (68.40%) were in stage 5 CKD. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 6.16 ± 2.85 (possible range: 0-12), 31.68 ± 3.96 (possible range: 8-40), and 35.6 ± 9.99 (possible range: 11-55), respectively. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.426, p < 0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.422, p < 0.001), as well as attitude and practice (r = 0.327, p < 0.001). SEM showed that knowledge was positively associated with attitude (β = 0.907, p = 0.005) and practice (β = 1.482, p = 0.012).

Patients with CKD exhibited inadequate knowledge, positive attitude, and passive practice. Targeted educational interventions are essential to enhance patients' understanding of medical nutritional therapy for CKD.