What Are the Infection Prevention Behaviors of Kidney Transplant Recipients and the Factors Related to These?

BACKGROUND

The infection prevention behaviours of kidney transplant recipients have been investigated, but the factors affecting these have not. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the infection prevention behaviours of kidney transplant recipients and the factors related to these.

METHODS

The sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study included 148 kidney transplant recipients being followed in a kidney transplant outpatient clinic. Data were collected with a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics form, the Adherence to Measures against Infections Questionnaire and the Self-Control and Self-Management Scale between November 2022 and May 2023.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 50.29 ± 13.11 years. The rate of self-reported hand hygiene was 51%. Age caused a significant difference in receiving a vaccine against pneumonia and wearing a mask. The rate of self-reported behaviour of rinsing vegetables was higher among the married patients compared to single patients. Self-management created a significant difference in receiving a vaccine against influenza and pneumonia, eating salad in a café or restaurant and wearing a mask outside home and consuming raw food, delicatessen products and street food (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the kidney transplant recipients displayed incomplete infection prevention behaviours including hand hygiene. Infection prevention behaviours differed in terms of age and self-control and self-management. Education and interventions are needed to improve the infection prevention behaviours of kidney transplant recipients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study illustrates the characteristics of, and relationship between, sociodemographic factors and self-management of infection prevention behaviours in kidney transplant recipients.

REPORTING METHOD

Strengthening the reporting of cross-sectional studies (STROBE) was followed.

PATIENT CONTRIBUTION

The study demonstrates that there is a need for interventions that will improve both the self-management levels and infection protection behaviours of patients. Studies conducted in this direction will lead to a decrease in the infection rates of patients.