Knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients living with inflammatory bowel disease: A cross-sectional study

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) generally have poor knowledge, attitude, and practice of their disease, while the data from China are lacking.

Aim: To address this knowledge disparity among Chinese patients with IBD.

Methods: This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of IBD patients who visited the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between December 2022 and February 2023. Their socio-demographic information and the knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were collected and estimated using a self-designed questionnaire. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the pairwise correlations among knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was further performed to determine the independent factors associated with their knowledge, attitude, and practice scores.

Results: A total of 353 patients (224 males) with IBD completed the questionnaires. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 10.05 ± 3.46 (possible range: 0-14), 41.58 ± 5.23 (possible range: 0-56), 44.20 ± 7.39 (possible range: 0-56), respectively, indicating good knowledge, positive attitude, and proactive practice toward IBD. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the knowledge score had significant positive correlations with the attitude score (r = 0.371, P < 0.001) and practice score (r = 0.100, P < 0.001). The attitude score had a significant positive correlation with the practice score (r = 0.452, P < 0.001). Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aged 30-40 years [odds ratio (OR) = 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-15.82, P = 0.043], middle school education (OR = 3.98, 95%CI: 1.29-12.33, P = 0.017), high school/technical secondary school education (OR = 14.06, 95%CI: 3.92-50.38, P < 0.001), and junior college/bachelor's degree and above education (OR = 15.20, 95%CI: 4.15-55.650, P < 0.001) were independently associated with good knowledge. The higher knowledge score was independently associated with a positive attitude (OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.11-1.36, P < 0.001). The higher attitude score was independently associated with proactive practice (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.11-1.30, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Chinese patients with IBD might have good knowledge, a positive attitude, and proactive practice toward their disease. However, a small number of specific items require education.