Knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease Among the Population of Saudi Arabia Evaluated Using a Validated Questionnaire: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction Public knowledge and awareness regarding chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important factor influencing the successful implementation of CKD prevention and screening programs. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies conducted among the Saudi population to explore the public knowledge of CKD using a validated questionnaire. Hence, we explored the knowledge of CKD among the population of the Kingdom of Saudi using a validated questionnaire to determine the level of knowledge regarding CKD as well as the predictors of CKD knowledge. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey study conducted between 12 January 2020 and 11 February 2021. A structured study questionnaire in the Google TM platform, with socio-demographic variables and questions assessing CKD knowledge, was used to collect data. A snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Results A total of 983 people accessed the survey and 951 provided a complete response. Respondents belonging to the age group 41–55 years, having masters or PhD level education, having monthly income >15,000 SR, married, doing >150 minutes/week physical activity had significantly higher kidney disease knowledge. There were significant differences in the mean kidney disease knowledge total score between participants with and without: a history of kidney disease (5.63, df = 895, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (2.34, df = 949, p = 0.019), hypertension (3.25, df = 949, p = 0.001), and family history of kidney failure (4.60, df = 949, p<0.001). Conclusion The study revealed a lack of awareness among the Saudi population regarding knowledge about CKD. However, a significantly higher level of knowledge prevailed among respondents from higher educational and higher economic backgrounds. Those with risk factors for CKD also held a greater knowledge about the disease.

Knowledge and Risk Perceptions of Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors among Women of Childbearing Age in Lagos State, Nigeria: From a Health Demography Approach

“…Similarly, the perceived risk and perception of CKD risk factors was categorized as low (<20) and high (≥20). Respondents with high perceived risk or perception were coded “1” and those with low perceived risk or perception were coded “0.” As the main predictor variable, CKD knowledge generated a positive response to a series of knowledge questions generated from previous CKD knowledge surveys and its CKD risk factors [ 28 – 39 ]. CKD's knowledge and beliefs were assessed by asking about the types of KD (acute and chronic KD), how people get kidney problems, knowledge of CKD risk factors, and CKD's signs/symptoms.…”

“…Equally, in this study, the independent variable include age, education, marital status, religion, income, other sources of income, and ethnic group. Thus, age cohorts were recoded as younger adults [ 15 – 29 ], young adults [ 30 – 39 ], and middle-aged adults [ 40 – 49 , 52 ]. Education was recoded as no education, low education (primary and secondary), and high education (tertiary).…”

Chronic kidney disease awareness among the general population: tool validation and knowledge assessment in a developing country

“…Our findings support the literature that determined better knowledge of CKD among older population. In a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, participants with a greater age showed a substantially higher CKD knowledge score [ 18 ]. The risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases increases with age and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…However, another recent study from Saudi Arabia using a non-validated questionnaire found that more than half of the study population correctly identified HTN and DM as CKD risk factors [ 15 ]. Another study also found a deficiency of awareness about CKD among Saudis, with respondents from higher educational and economic backgrounds having much more information and those with CKD risk factors also had a better understanding of the condition [ 18 ]. Besides, Chow et al observed a lack of broad public knowledge on CKD and recommended future research in a population of high-risk individuals [ 19 ].…”

Awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among CKD patients

“…At a global scale, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) reported in 2015, CKD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality (Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Collaborators, 2015; Global Chronic Kidney Disease Collaboration, 2020). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 850 million people who suffers from some form of CKD and furthermore reported that CKD is more prevalent in low to middle income countries rather than the high-income countries (Lorig et al, 1999 In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), CKD is considered as one major public health issue (Al Rahbi & Al Salmi, 2020; Almutary et al, 2013;Almutary, 2021;Alobaidi, 2021;Alsuwaida et al, 2010). In a recent study conducted to Saudi population, an increasing incidence and prevalence of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) has been reported (Almutary et al, 2013;Almutary, 2021;Alsuwaida et al, 2010).…”