O-66 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Middle-Aged Persons Living with Type-2 Diabetes who attend Polyclinics in Barbados regarding Renal Complications

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Ministry of Health and Wellness (Barbados) polyclinics between May and August 2024 where self-administered questionnaires were completed by the target population of 35- to 65-year-olds living with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Adapted KAP questionnaires were employed. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regression were employed to elucidate relationships between KAP, CKD and sociodemographic factors. There were 222 participants.

Results: There was a response rate of 93.3% and a mean age of 58 (SD±8) years. The mean score of knowledge was 48.7%(SD±1.7), attitude 83.9%(SD±20.2), and practices 72.3%(SD±7.0). The frequency of self-reported CKD was 10.8%. After regression analyses, the odds of reporting good knowledge were 2.32 times higher in those who had secondary and tertiary education versus primary (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.06 – 5.04, p=0.034). Regarding sources of T2DM information, for every one-unit change in internet use, the mean change in combined KAP was 4.64% (95% CI 1.33 – 7.95, p=0.006) and for health professionals it was 6.38% (95% CI 2.99 – 9.77, p=0.000). However, it was found that there was no relationship between CKD and KAP.

Conclusion: Of all 3 dimensions, knowledge scored the least. Though there was no observed relationship between CKD and KAP, it is important to note that various sociodemographic factors such as education level affect KAP. This, in turn, can affect the prognosis and progression of T2DM and the likelihood of complications such as CKD. Given the historical connection between T2DM and CKD, it is important to improve KAP among those with T2DM.