Uptake of Chronic Kidney Disease Preventive Measures among Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients at the Nyeri County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

The rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence worldwide is alarming. It is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity, thus demanding special consideration as one of the increasing public health concerns. Hypertension and diabetes pose the highest risk for CKD development. The study objective was to establish the factors that influence CKD preventive practices among diabetes and hypertension patients at Nyeri County Referral Hospital (NCRH). Data was obtained from 190 participants by the use of a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS and presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used to test for association among variables while multiple regression analysis was used to test for the predictors of CKD prevention uptake. The findings revealed that 84.2% of the participants had good CKD prevention uptake. Gender χ2 (1) = 6.243, p= .012 age χ2 (4) = 13.146, p= .011, and income χ2 (4) = 25.467, p <0.001 were significantly associated with CKD preventive practice uptake. Health care provider communicating to DM/HTN patients in a language they could understand χ2 (2) = 18.102, p<0.001, accessing all the laboratory services within the hospital χ2 (2) = 8.469, p=.014 and being able to obtain the prescribed drugs from the hospital pharmacy χ2 (2) = 6.361, p=.043 were significantly associated with CKD prevention uptake. The predictors for CKD prevention uptake included gender, income, age, and being well informed about the disease condition. In conclusion 84.2% of the participants had good CKD prevention uptake and this was influenced by factors stated above. The study recommends that health care providers in Nyeri County Referral Hospital should provide CKD prevention health education program especially to the at-risk population. The health care services should also be made available, accessible and affordable to diabetic and hypertensive patients.