Currently submitted to: Online Journal of Public Health Informatics
Date Submitted: Feb 27, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 24, 2026 - May 19, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Improving Health Information Literacy and Health Behaviors in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Using a WeChat Mini-Program: A Before-and-after Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Background:
Global awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains limited, and health information literacy among CKD patients is generally suboptimal. Developing effective health information delivery strategies has become a clinical priority.
Objective:
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of a WeChat mini-program-based intervention on health information literacy, self-management behaviors, and renal function indicators in CKD patients.
Methods:
Methods:
A single-group prospective before-and-after study was conducted, adhering to the STROBE guidelines. A total of 57 CKD patients were enrolled, with health information literacy assessed using the CKD Health Information Literacy Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months post-intervention. Renal function parameters were monitored concurrently.
Results:
Results:
Compared with baseline, the intervention group showed significant improvements in total health information literacy score (P=0.041), CKD knowledge reserve (P=0.007), and health behaviors (acceptance of medical promotion: P=0.042; regular health check-ups: P=0.028). Significant improvements were also observed in renal function-related indicators, including urinary protein (P=0.023) and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (P=0.044). No significant differences were found in platelet count, hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or albumin levels. Subgroup analysis revealed that employed patients had significantly higher knowledge reserves (P=0.022); patients with college education showed improved total health literacy scores (P=0.042); patients with primary school or college education had enhanced knowledge reserves (P=0.009, P=0.005); primary school-educated patients had significant differences in platelet counts (P=0.027); and younger patients demonstrated improvements in knowledge reserves (P=0.005), urinary protein (P=0.031), and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (P=0.017).
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
The dedicated WeChat mini-program effectively enhances health information literacy, disease knowledge, and self-management behaviors in CKD patients, with associated stabilization of renal parameters, suggesting potential for delaying disease progression. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings. Clinical Trial: Trial Registration: Registration number: ChiCTR2100053103
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