Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with anemia towards disease management

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices among anemia patients toward disease management.MethodsThis web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2023 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine). A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information of anemia patients, and assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward disease management.ResultsA total of 396 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean age of the participants was 57.44 ± 16.80 years, and 52.02% were female. The mean knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores were 11.47 ± 1.73 (possible range: 0–14), 27.32 ± 2.96 (possible range: 7–35), and 40.49 ± 6.06 (possible range: 10–50), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that bachelor’s degree or above was independently associated with sufficient knowledge (OR = 2.372, 95%CI: 1.160–4.853, p = 0.018). Knowledge (OR = 1.350, 95%CI: 1.166–1.563, p < 0.001) and hemoglobin within 60-90 g/L (OR = 1.782, 95%CI: 1.090–2.912, p = 0.021) were independently associated with positive attitudes. Moreover, attitudes (OR = 1.618, 95%CI: 1.454–1.799, p < 0.001) and diagnosis ≥1 year (OR = 1.949, 95%CI: 1.171–3.243, p = 0.010) were independently associated with proactive practices. The path analysis demonstrated that knowledge was directly and positively correlated with attitudes (β = 0.484, 95% CI: 0.363–0.647, p = 0.008), and attitudes was directly and positively correlated with practices (β = 1.195, 95% CI: 1.062–1.332, p = 0.007). Moreover, knowledge was indirectly and positively correlated with practice (β = 0.579, 95% CI: 0.434–0.805, p = 0.004).ConclusionAnemia patients have sufficient knowledge, negative attitudes, but proactive practices toward the toward disease management Comprehensive training programs are needed to improve anemia patients practices in this area.