Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices about COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, several shortcomings in the health system were evidenced, particularly in the first level of care sector, being the
chronic renal population one of the most affected. Objectives: To determine the association between epidemiological factors and the “knowledge, attitudes and practices” of the population with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis in the province of Huancayo, Peru, during 2022.
Methods: Cross-sectional analytical observational study conducted at the Ramiro Prialé Prialé National Hospital, Huancayo, Junín, between January and March
2022. A data collection form was administered that assessed and quantified the level of “knowledge, attitudes and practices” of the patients. The chi-square test was applied to evaluate the association. Results: Seventy-six patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis were studied. Most of the population was older adults (51.32 %), had higher education (40.78 %) and were from the province of Huancayo (73.68 %). The main cause of CKD was arterial hypertension (40.7%), and 19.7% had diabetes mellitus as a history. A statistically significant association was found between the level of education and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients (p<0.05). No correlation was found between the variables age and time on hemodialysis with respect to the “knowledge, attitudes and practices” under COVID-19 (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was an association between the level of education and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 in the hemodialysis population.