LAUSR

INTRODUCTION In this study knowledge about kidney disease and the option of transplantation was assessed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and their care givers. PATIENTS AND METHODS A knowledge, attitude, and perception (KAP) questionnaire comprising 33 items was developed. It had 4 classes: knowledge of kidney disease (9 items), transplantation (10 items), attitude (6 items), and perception (8 items). There were 3 possible answering options (yes/no/don't know) indicating "agree/disagree/no idea" or "optimal understanding/some understanding/no idea," allocating a score of 4/2/0, respectively. A higher score indicated good KAP. CKD patients, accompanying caregivers, and healthy controls from the general population were included. RESULTS In 218 subjects, 108 were CKD patients (78 pre-end-stage renal disease and 30 maintenance hemodialysis), 40 were caregivers, and 70 were controls. The majority had a primary level of education (52%) and earned low to middle income (67%). Only 34% claimed to have adequate knowledge; information sources were doctors (61%) and relatives (21%); 63% agreed to involve in transplant program; 58% had no knowledge about types of kidney donors; and 71% believed in no religious restrictions to transplantation. The average KAP score for all in total 25 scoring items (59 ± 23) and separately in knowledge of kidney disease (75 ± 34), transplantation (48 ± 28), attitude (64 ± 28), and perception (51 ± 28) showed a generally low score especially in the field of transplantation. Education level (school vs. higher: 50 ± 23 vs. 70 ± 19, P < .001), income (low-middle vs. higher: 52 ± 23 vs. 72 ± 17, P < .001) and location (rural vs. urban: 53 ± 19 vs.74 ± 19, P < .001) conferred higher KAP scores. CONCLUSION Knowledge, attitude, and perception towards renal transplantation is positively influenced by a person's educational level and economic status.