Use of a knowledge-attitude-behaviour education programme for Chinese adults undergoing maintenance haemodialysis: Randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a knowledge-attitude-behaviour health education model on acquisition of disease-related knowledge and self-management behaviour by patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. METHODS: Patients recently prescribed MHD were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group. Control group patients were treated with usual care and general education models. A specialist knowledge-attitude-behaviour health education model was applied to patients in the intervention group. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were included (n = 43 per group). Before intervention, there were no significant between-group differences in disease knowledge and self-management behaviour. After 6 months’ intervention, a significant between-group difference in acquisition of disease knowledge was observed. Self-management behaviour scores (control of body mass, reasonable diet, correct drug intake, physical activity, correct fistula care, disease condition monitoring, psychological and social behaviours) for the intervention group were also higher than those for the control group. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that the knowledge-attitude-behaviour model appears to be a valuable tool for the health education of MHD patients.