CKD Knowledge and Its Associated Factors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Attending Follow-up in a Penang Primary Health Clinic

Objective: Information regarding the level of chronic kidney disease (CKD) knowledge and its associated factors among high-risk patients is crucial for the planning of CKD prevention strategies. This study aimed to determine the level of CKD knowledge and its associated factors among patients with a recent diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) attending follow-ups at a primary healthcare clinic in Penang. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the consecutive sampling of 100 recently diagnosed DM patients (within 5 years) attending diabetic follow-up at the Kepala Batas Health Clinic. The level of CKD knowledge was assessed using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Demographic characteristics were described using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Associated factors of CKD knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value<0.05. Results: As high as 81.0% of the participants scored less than four out of seven marks for CKD knowledge. The mean score was 2.61, while the median score was 3.0. Educational level was identified as the single determinant of CKD knowledge among the study participants.Conclusion: In this study, patients with a recent diagnosis of DM attending follow-up in primary healthcare showed a poor level of CKD knowledge. To ensure the success of the CKD prevention programme among high-risk groups, healthcare providers must provide relevant and effective education to all diabetic patients in the early phase after DM diagnosis; particularly among those with a lower education background.