63-OR: Focused Educational Screening Improves Knowledge of Diabetes as a Leading Risk Factor for Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a major risk factor in the progression of kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease. An estimated 34.2 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 adults with diabetes may have CKD, many of whom do not know they have it. Interventions to increase CKD awareness and its complications may help promote early testing and identification among adults with diabetes. The American Kidney Fund (AKF) developed a 5-minute CKD education session and focused this intervention in the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area. Methods­: In 2020, AKF administered a 5-item questionnaire at two AKF kidney disease screening events to assess CKD knowledge before and after 5-minute CKD education sessions. Individuals demonstrating CKD risk factors, including self-reported history of diabetes or elevated blood sugar level results, attended the education sessions. We compared responses from 129 participants and performed a paired samples t-test to determine the education sessions’ effectiveness in improving CKD knowledge. Results: The average pre-post scores increased from 57% to 89% (t(128)=10.65, p<0.001), with the largest gains in understanding the definition of CKD (11% to 86%, t(128)=17.62, p<0.001). There was a significant difference in pre-post scores for identifying diabetes and high blood pressure as the top risk factors for CKD (49% to 86%, t(128)=6.62, p<0.001). For the best ways to prevent CKD, keeping a healthy blood sugar level and healthy blood pressure level was also significant (65% to 89%, t(128)=4.91, p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated low awareness of CKD risk factors. Educational sessions are effective for improving CKD knowledge and increasing awareness about diabetes as a major risk factor. Our study supports the expansion of CKD-related educational programs for populations at high risk for CKD. Disclosure L. Vo: None. M. Paris: None. M. Alawode: None. M. Spigler: None.