Awareness of Kidney Disorders in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assesses the level of awareness of the generality of the populace towards kidney disease, in the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital and its environment. Questionnaires were administered to the administrative staff (excluding medical/nursing workers) of the Ogun State University teaching hospital, bank workers, market women and artisans in its environment. Responses were analyzed by standard statistical methods. Out of 455 questionnaires administered, there were 415(91.2%) respondents. Eighty-eight (21.2%) were non-academic staff of the hospital, 123(29.6%) were market women, 106(25.5%) were artisans and 98(23.6%) were bank workers. Their ages ranged from 15 years to 54 years (mean 34.2+ 9.7years), with a sex ratio, (M/F) of 1:1 (192 males and 223 females). Majority of the interviewees, 273(65.8%) do not know the function of the kidneys. The use of local herbs, indiscriminate use of drug, skin lightening cream, jaundice and scarifications are also believed to be associated with kidney diseases in 300(72.3%), 270(65.1%), 140(33.7%) 263(63.4%) and 98(23.6%) of respondents respectively. Sixty-eight respondents (16.4%) do not know the common complaints associated with kidney diseases. One hundred and eighty-seven (45.1%) believed that kidney diseases are associated with urinary complaints while 99(23.9%), 56(13.5%) and 3(0.7%) believed that the common complaints associated with kidney diseases are swelling of the body, body weakness and swelling of the face respectively. This study demonstrated that there is a low awareness of the populace regarding the prevalence, causes and prevention of kidney diseases in the environment. There is need for introducing measures that will improve the awareness of the populace, aim at preventive measures such as pre-employment urinalysis screening and health education.

[Afr. J. Health Sci. 2002; 9: 165-168]