THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES 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. 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. Content analysis was used to analyse secondary data. The study found

that tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse and use of over the counter NSAIDs could lead to increased prevalence

of CKD in the region. 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.