Knowledge, attitude and practice towards postoperative management among patients with type A aortic dissection or their relatives: a cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

Objectives To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of patients with type A aortic dissection (AD) or their relatives regarding postoperative management. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting The participants were recruited from three hospitals between October 2022 and February 2023. Participants Patients diagnosed with type A AD or their relatives. Interventions No interventions were administered. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the demographic and KAP data from the participants. Primary and secondary outcome measures The outcome measures included the levels of KAP regarding postoperative management. Results A total of 483 participants were included. They exhibited poor knowledge (15.52±7.67, possible score: 0-32), positive attitude (31.10±5.86, possible score: 9-45) and poor practice (21.96±4.83, possible score: 8-40) towards postoperative management. The multivariable logistic analysis showed that knowledge scores (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.12, p<0.001), attitude scores (OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.29, p<0.001) and diagnosis for ≤5 years (OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.15, p=0.005) were independently associated with good practice. The structured equation modelling analysis showed that knowledge directly influenced attitudes (β=0.22, p<0.001) and practice (β=0.15, p<0.001), while attitude directly impacted practice (β=0.52, p<0.001) and mediated the relationship between knowledge and practice (β=0.11, p<0.001). Conclusions Patients with type A AD and their relatives have poor knowledge, positive attitudes and poor practice towards postoperative management. Knowledge might be the prerequisite for practice, and attitudes have a mediating effect.