Knowledge and attitude toward chronic kidney disease prevention and associated factors among diabetic patients in Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia

Chronic kidney disease is a major health and economic burden, especially in developing countries, yet evidence on diabetic patients' knowledge and attitudes toward its prevention is limited. To assess knowledge and attitude toward chronic kidney disease prevention and their associated factors among diabetic patients. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 adult diabetic patients attending public hospitals in Bahir Dar city using systematic random sampling after proportional allocation. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews, entered into EpiData for management and quality control, and analyzed using SPSS. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitude toward CKD prevention, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Overall, 33.9% of participants had adequate knowledge and 49.7% had a favorable attitude toward chronic kidney disease prevention. Higher educational level (AOR = 4.50; 95% CI 2.20-9.30), longer duration of diabetes (AOR = 3.30; 95% CI 1.57-6.96), younger age (21-30 years) (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI 1.11-5.87), and heard about chronic kidney disease (AOR = 5.50; 95% CI 2.71-11.01) were significantly associated with adequate knowledge. Favorable attitude was significantly associated with higher educational level (AOR = 5.90; 95% CI 2.80-12.42), family history of chronic kidney disease (AOR = 3.00; 95% CI 1.60-5.76), and heard of chronic kidney disease (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.03-2.78). Only 33.9% of diabetic patients had adequate knowledge of chronic kidney disease prevention, and 49.7% had a favorable attitude. Higher education and prior awareness of chronic kidney disease were consistently associated with better knowledge and attitude, along with clinical and demographic factors such as diabetes duration, age, and family history. The findings indicate important gaps in chronic kidney disease prevention knowledge and attitude among diabetic patients. Targeted health education within diabetic follow-up services is recommended.