Assessment of knowledge and practice of Sudanese renal transplant recipients about tacrolimus usage: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug used for the prevention of rejection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). There are many factors that can affect tacrolimus blood levels, include nonadherence, blood sampling time, food effect, and co-medication. This study aimed to assess Sudanese KTRs knowledge and practice about tacrolimus use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study. The study population was Sudanese KTRs under tacrolimus-based therapy attending the renal transplant outpatient clinic in Khartoum renal dialysis and transplantation center from April to July 2018. A total of 190 KTRs were interviewed. The collected data were manually scored, coded, and then analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Regarding overall knowledge, approximately 46% of enrolled KTRs have a low level of knowledge about tacrolimus therapy, and there is a significant association between KTRs knowledge and their level of education. There is a variation between the knowledge about tacrolimus monitoring and KTRs' practice. The primary source of information for the KTRs was doctors, and more than half of them never forget to take the tacrolimus. Only 32.1% of KTRs have nonadherence problems. The association between KTRs knowledge and their level of education and the transplantation period was statistically significant. Regarding tacrolimus side effects, 50% of KTRs said they have been informed or read about the drug side effects. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the Sudanese KTRs enrolled in this study was inadequate, and the behavior of them when suffering from a new complaint was relatively good. Great efforts are needed to improve their knowledge, to maintain graft function, and to prevent graft loss.