Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of the Gastroenterology Department Patients Towards Chronic Gastritis in Shanxi Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Chronic gastritis affects more than half of the global population to varying extents. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients admitted to the gastroenterology department in the Shanxi region concerning chronic gastritis.<br /> Methods: This study was conducted in Shanxi between April and July 2023. The participants were enrolled when they consulted at the clinic. Demographic characteristics and KAP scores were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. KAP scores >60% were considered good. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine the relationships among the dimensions of knowledge, attitude, and practice.<br /> Results: A total of 416 valid questionnaires were collected. The median knowledge score was 28 (0-60) (with possible values of 0- 60), the median attitude score was 60 (28-77) (with possible values of 16-80), and the median practice score was 45 (12-60) (with possible values of 12-60). Hence, 133, 379, and 343 participants had knowledge, attitude, and practice scores, respectively, above the 60% threshold. Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge and attitude (r=0.300, P<0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.297, P<0.001), and attitude and practice (r=0.353, P=0.004) through correlation analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) revealed that knowledge directly and significantly influenced attitude (beta=0.643, P<0.001), as well as practice (beta=0.095, P=0.034), and attitude had a direct effect on practice (beta=0.094, P=0.009).<br /> Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices concerning chronic gastritis were observed in patients in the gastroenterology department. Prioritizing patient education and addressing patient attitudes during clinical consultations can enhance healthcare practices and improve the management of chronic gastritis.