Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome among at-risk patients following abdominal surgery in a tertiary hospital in China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) among an at-risk population of patients who have undergone abdominal surgery and to identify factors associated with their KAP levels.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Patients after abdominal surgery by administration of questionnaires.

PARTICIPANTS

The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in the western region of Liaoning Province, China from July 2023 to December 2023.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: KAP scores regarding postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery (PGS) in at-risk patients; associations between demographic factors and KAP dimensions, including subgroup differences across age, education, residence and other clinical variables.

RESULTS

555 valid questionnaires were analysed. The KAP scores were 2 (0, 5), 26 (22, 31) and 16 (13, 19), respectively. Knowledge positively correlated with attitude (r=0.710, p<0.001) and practice (r=0.731, p<0.001). Attitude correlated with practice (r=0.968, p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that older age (46-60 years: OR=0.351, p=0.017; >60 years: OR=0.160, p<0.001), county township residency (OR=0.516, p=0.024), rural residency (OR=0.357, p=0.005), higher education (OR=8.351, p<0.001), 'slight' postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR=1.975, p=0.033) and 'very severe' postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR=8.070, p=0.016) were independently associated with adequate practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients at risk for PGS following abdominal surgery exhibit critical deficiencies in knowledge, hold passive attitudes and engage in inadequate preventive practices. Healthcare providers must urgently develop and implement precision health education strategies tailored to these high-risk groups to improve awareness, foster positive attitudes and promote effective self-management for PGS prevention.