Effect of Pharmacist-Mediated Educational Intervention on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Toward Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A Hospital-Based Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major concern of the world, in terms of public health and requires improved patient education and effective disease management interventions. Pharmacists are among the other healthcare professionals these days that play a very crucial role in patient education and managing chronic diseases. This paper set out to assess the effects of the pharmacist-facilitated educational program on the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of patients on the management of CKD.

Methods: A quasi experimental study was done in a hospital setting to a sample of 392 patients having CKD. The participants took part in structured pharmacist-delivered education and KAP questionnaires were conducted three times: at baseline, during the first follow-up (n=388) and during the second follow-up (n=384) at the interval of four months. Quality KAP questionnaires were to be used on every period to measure the changes with time.

Results: Substantially, the intervention by pharmacists enhanced patient knowledge as the score was 12.36 3.18 at the baseline and 16.50 2.46 at the second follow-up (P < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant increase (P = 0.002) in attitude scores from 21.65 4.29 to 22.80 3.66. The number gathered by the practice scores showed a significant increase, going up by 1.86 or a 34.03 percent difference (5.45 2.12 to 7.31 1.58; P < 0.001). In addition, the percentage of participants, who showed proper CKD knowledge, increased by 21.68 points, as the initial percentage was 61.13 and changed to 82.81, whereas the percentage, who showed proper CKD management practices, increased by 48.61 points, as the initial value was 33.16 and changed to 81.77.

Conclusion: The results highlight the very crucial role of pharmacists in strengthening CKD-related KAP. To put an end to long-term adherence to healthy behaviors, sustenance of educational interventions and proper follow-up are critical to ensuring better CKD results.