Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding arteriovenous fistulas among uremic patients undergoing haemodialysis in China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding arteriovenous fistula (AVF) care in uremic patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD). DESIGN: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among uremic patients receiving HD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between April 2023 and June 2023. SETTING: The study took place at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 522 valid questionnaires were collected from patients undergoing HD, representing 85.57% of the 610 patients eligible for the study. INTERVENTIONS: Pathway analysis was used to assess the interplay among KAP scores related to AVF care in the participants. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The study evaluated KAP scores (ranging 0-20, 8-40 and 6-30, respectively) to gauge patients' KAP regarding AVF care. RESULTS: The findings indicated that patients exhibited adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and proactive practices towards AVF care. Patients' knowledge directly influenced their attitudes and practices, with attitudes also positively impacting practices. Additionally, knowledge indirectly affected practices through attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Uremic patients undergoing HD demonstrated satisfactory understanding, favourable attitudes and proactive behaviours concerning AVF care. The pathway analysis provided insights into the relationships between KAP, illustrating the direct and indirect effects of these factors on each other in the context of AVF care among patients.