title: Limited knowledge of chronic kidney disease among primary care patients--a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in Singapore. While preventive effects have focused on early detection and education, little is known about the knowledge level of chronic kidney disease (CKD) locally. We seek to evaluate the knowledge of CKD among primary care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 1520 patients from 3 primary care centers. Those with existing CKD or on dialysis were excluded. Knowledge was assessed based on 7 questions on CKD in the self-administered questionnaire. One point was given for each correct answer with a maximum of 7 points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1435 completed all 7 questions on CKD. Mean age was 48.9 ± 5.0 (SD) years. 50.9% were male. 62.3% had a secondary and below education and 52.4% had a monthly household income of ≤ $2000. 43.7% had chronic diseases. Mean score was 3.44 ± 1.53 (out of a maximum of 7). Median score was 4. In multivariate logistic regression, being older {>60 years [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.32-0.79]; 40-60 years (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43,0.89)}, less educated [up to primary education (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.49)], having a lower monthly household income [<S$2000 (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.26-0.66); S$2000-4999 (OR 0.53, 95%CI, 0.33-0.83)], and being non-professionals [OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.43-0.99] (all p < 0.05)] were likely to score less.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This suggests that CKD education should be targeted at older patients with lower education and lower socioeconomic status.
authors: Centre for Health Services Research, Singapore Health Services, 168 Jalan Bukit Merah, #06-08 Tower 3, Singapore, 150169, Singapore. wailengc@gmail.com
authors: Wai Leng
authors: WL
authors: Chow
authors: Veena D
authors: VD
authors: Joshi
authors: Aung Soe
authors: AS
authors: Tin
authors: Saskia
authors: S
authors: van der Erf
authors: Jeremy Fung Yen
authors: JF
authors: Lim
authors: Teck Sin
authors: TS
authors: Swah
authors: Stephanie Swee Hong
authors: SS
authors: Teo
authors: Paul Soo Chye
authors: PS
authors: Goh
authors: Gilbert Choon Seng
authors: GC
authors: Tan
authors: Crystal
authors: C
authors: Lim
authors: Terence Yi-shern
authors: TY
authors: Kee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*