International Journal of Nursing

The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Diseases in Kericho County, Kenya
Rotich Joyce Cherono

Abstract
There is rising number of reported cases of kidney diseases from Kericho County. The number of patients attending the local hospitals’ hem dialysis 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 hem dialysis are from Kericho County. This was a mixed methodology research. The prevalence of 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 secondary data. The study found that 57.0% (13 patients) of patients with CKD had used traditional medicines prior to onset of the disease. Doctors and nurses agreed that herbal concoctions may lead to kidney injury directly or indirectly through other side effects that cause dehydration; physical inactivity leads to increased prevalence of CKD via development of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse and use of over the counter NSAIDs could lead to increased prevalence of CKD in the region. The 3 year average prevalence of CKD was 0.4%, 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 end stage renal disease in Kericho County with presence of associated risk factors such as lifestyle, dietary, occupational and cultural factors.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v4n2a8