Knowledge of disease management among maintenance hemodialysis patients in coastal Karnataka – A cross sectional pilot study

Patients’ understanding and knowledge of the disease condition and its management are crucial factors in achieving treatment goals and in empowering patients for self-care management.It is therefore necessary to assess knowledge levels and knowledge needs among dialysis patients and to educate them sufficiently on disease management and therapeutic regimens.Methodology: Cross sectional pilot study among 31 maintenance hemodialysis(HD) patients.Strata of three groups was developed:Patients on HD since <15days,15 days to 4 months,4 months and above.A validated questionnaire covering five domains:disease knowledge,infection,dialysis treatment,fistula care and nutrition was administered to patients from the 3 strata.Results:16.1% had poor knowledge,23% had moderate knowledge and 3% had good knowledge regarding their disease condition.9.7% had moderate knowledge and 80.6% had poor knowledge on infection prevention measures.77.4% had moderate knowledge and 12.9% had poor knowledge on dialysis treatment and safety.49.6% had moderate knowledge and 80.6% had poor knowledge on nutrition management for their disease condition.80.6% had moderate knowledge and 9.7% had poor knowledge on fistula care. Conclusion: There is a need for a sustainable model of multidisciplinary educational intervention to educate patients on dialysis,since the cost of a multidisciplinary approach is a challenge in a limited resource setting as well as an additional financial burden for patients.