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Authors: Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe, Clifford Odimegwu
Keywords: kidney disease, knowledge, prevalence, risk-inducing factors
Abstract: Background: Kidney disease (KD) is an increasing public health issue, with prevalence estimated to be 8-16% worldwide. Despite the increasing prevalence, there remains a dearth of epidemiological data on the disease burden and its risk factors, and knowledge of KD remains low. In Nigeria, the hospital-based prevalence of kidney failure is 15%. Knowledge of KD and its risk factors increases the responsiveness for prevention and early detection is imperative to reduce the disease burden. Objectives: The study determined the prevalence of KD and identified its risk-inducing factors among Nigerians resident in Lagos State, South West Nigeria to develop health educational preventive interventions using the information gathered from this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in rural and urban local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria from 1300 male and female residents aged 15-65 years. A self-administered questionnaire evaluating the sociodemography, knowledge of KD and prevalence of its risk-inducing factors were distributed among the respondents who participated in the survey. Descriptive, Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the mean differences in knowledge level and KD risk predictors. Results: Copies of the questionnaire were completed by 1171 respondents, with a mean age of 33.8±11.5 years and a median age of 34.0 years and the male-female ratio of 0.6:1. knowledge of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of KD was average (mean score: 38.39; 95% CI 37.41, 39.36). There were significant differences of KD knowledge among the respondents with no KD (means score: 38.26; 95% CI 37.27, 39.25) and those with KD status (means score: 45.00; 95% CI 38.84, 50.16). Living in an urban setting and level of education had the strongest independent associations with knowledge score. Knowledge on risk factors for KD risk among the respondents with KD status centered on old age (54.1%), regular use of herbal supplements (28.9%), and poor diet (23.0%). Overall, the prevalence of KD was 1.9% and self-reported risk-inducing factors were chronic ailments (35.4%), traditional herb drink (43.8%) and physical inactivity (79.0%). The multivariate analysis showed that the respondents without KD disease had significantly higher knowledge predicting KD risk using traditional herb drink and having chronic ailments, while those with KD predicted old age and chronic ailments. Conclusion: The prevalence of KD was quite low and some of its self-reported risk-inducing factors were high. Effective control of the risk factors identified will assist in reducing KD burden, especially in the grassroots communities.