The Evaluation and Effectiveness of Regional Language Patient Information Leaflets for Persons with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Information Leaflets (CKD-PILs) to test their understandability and assess their usefulness. Materials and Methods: Prospective observational research was carried out in a dialysis unit at renowned medical care for 9 months and 140 CKD patients enrolled in the study to evaluate prepared CKD-PILs. Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) is prepared by referring to various medical database and it’s evaluated using computer-aided readability tools using the website “http://r eadabilityscore.com”. Afterward, PIL was translated into a regional language and verified by a subject expert. The design and layout were analyzed using BADL criteria and user option tests. Results: Prepared CKD-PILs found to be good design and layout as per BALD and user opinion (BALD Assamese: 27, BALD English: 28; User opinion: 82.7% for Assamese PILs and 89.2% for English PILs). The mean scores on the knowledge evaluated using user testing methods and Disease management and lifestyle-related knowledge increased from 49.08±4.16 to 80.40±5.71 (p<0.001) and is statistically significant. Conclusion: The results showed significant improvement of their lifestyle and disease-related knowledge after the implementation of PILs. The Prepared CKD-based patient information leaflets have been found to be a good and effective educational tool for CKD patients.