Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Postoperative Management Among Patients with Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Patients with fractures often face complex postoperative management requirements, and their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding these aspects remain insufficiently understood. Purpose: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to postoperative management among patients with fractures. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Trauma Orthopedics Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from July 2024 to August 2024. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to collect demographic information and to evaluate KAP scores. Results: A total of 556 (n = 556) valid responses were analyzed. Of the respondents, 279 (50.18%) were female, and 380 (68.35%) reported fractures resulting from falls. The mean ± SD scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 15.24 ± 3.62 (possible range: 0-22), 31.43 ± 6.40 (possible range: 8-40), and 83.07 ± 17.24 (possible range: 21-105), respectively. Based on a 70% cutoff of the total score, 42.73% of participants had adequate knowledge, 82.59% had a positive attitude, and 72.53% reported proactive practice. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between knowledge scores and attitude scores (r = 0.782, P < 0.001), as well as between knowledge scores and practice scores (r = 0.832, P < 0.001). Additionally, attitude scores were positively correlated with practice scores (r = 0.804, P < 0.001). The structural equation model demonstrated that knowledge had a direct effect on attitude (standardized β = 0.913, P < 0.001) and practice (standardized β = 0.710, P < 0.001), while attitude also directly impacted practice (standardized β = 0.258, P = 0.021). Conclusion: Patients with fractures exhibited suboptimal knowledge but generally positive attitudes and proactive practices toward postoperative management. Tailored educational interventions to improve patient knowledge could significantly enhance attitude and practice.