PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
There is rising number of reported cases of kidney diseases from Kericho
County. The number of patients attending the local hospitals’ hemodialysis has
increased in the recent past. From the reports at MTRH, most patients attending
dialysis come from Kericho County. Approximately seven out ten patients attending
hemodialysis are from Kericho County. This was a mixed methodology research. The
prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was determined by reviewing
admission data of adult medical patients in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. The risk
factors profile of CKD patients was assessed using a cross-sectional study design. The
study population included doctors, nurses and patients. The study used questionnaires,
document analysis and interview schedule as the main data collection instruments.
The study adopted both the qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to achieve
the objectives of the study. Content analysis was used to analyse both secondary and
qualitative data. The study found out that 57.0% (13) of patients with CKD had used
traditional medicines prior to onset of the disease. Doctors and nurses agreed that
herbal concoctions might lead to CKD. Physical inactivity leads to increased
prevalence of CKD due to the development of obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Tobacco smoking, Alcohol abuse and use of over the counter NSAIDs might have
lead to increased prevalence of CKD in this region. The 3-year average prevalence of
CKD was 0.41%, with 78.3% being less than 50 years of age, and 91% having low to
medium income ratings. The doctors and nurses were in agreement that exposure to
agrochemicals; physical inactivity and herbal medication could be risk factors for
CKD. The study concluded that there was an increasing prevalence of CKD in
Kericho County with the presence of associated risk factors such as occupational,
lifestyle, dietary and cultural factors.