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Awareness Level of Kidney Diseases among Non-Medical Students in Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is on the increase globally. Renal replacement therapy and management of the ESRD patient is very expensive. Patients with ESRD in Nigeria and their relatives have to bear the cost of treatment. Prevention is thus the best option. Knowledge of kidney disease in the population will aid its prevention.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of kidney diseases among non-medical university undergraduates.
Methods: A 13- item self administered questionnaire on knowledge of kidney rd th diseases was offered to 3rd and 4th year students of the University of Benin studying Linguistics, Electrical Engineering and Accounting. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 16.
Results: Out of 350 questionnaires administered, 295 were returned. Respondents were made up of 183 (62%) males and 112 females (38%) with amale to female ratio of 1.6:1. The mean age of respondents was 27.8±3.2years with a range of 18-37years. Five percent of the respondents did not know the number of kidneys in the body. Twenty-eight percent did not know the location of the kidneys in the body. Their knowledge of the causes of kidney disease was poor; 44% were aware that diabetes mellitus could cause kidney disease and only 25% knew of the association between kidney disease and hypertension. Fortyeight percent of respondents believed in alternative medicine such as spiritual healing, herbal therapy and urine therapy for the treatment of kidney disease. Their knowledge of haemodialysis as a mode of treatment for kidney failure was poor (37%) but 89% was aware of kidney transplantation as an option for renal replacement therapy.
Conclusion: The knowledge of the respondents on kidney diseases was poor. There is a need for enlightenment programmes to improve awareness of Nigerians about kidney diseases.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of kidney diseases among non-medical university undergraduates.
Methods: A 13- item self administered questionnaire on knowledge of kidney rd th diseases was offered to 3rd and 4th year students of the University of Benin studying Linguistics, Electrical Engineering and Accounting. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 16.
Results: Out of 350 questionnaires administered, 295 were returned. Respondents were made up of 183 (62%) males and 112 females (38%) with amale to female ratio of 1.6:1. The mean age of respondents was 27.8±3.2years with a range of 18-37years. Five percent of the respondents did not know the number of kidneys in the body. Twenty-eight percent did not know the location of the kidneys in the body. Their knowledge of the causes of kidney disease was poor; 44% were aware that diabetes mellitus could cause kidney disease and only 25% knew of the association between kidney disease and hypertension. Fortyeight percent of respondents believed in alternative medicine such as spiritual healing, herbal therapy and urine therapy for the treatment of kidney disease. Their knowledge of haemodialysis as a mode of treatment for kidney failure was poor (37%) but 89% was aware of kidney transplantation as an option for renal replacement therapy.
Conclusion: The knowledge of the respondents on kidney diseases was poor. There is a need for enlightenment programmes to improve awareness of Nigerians about kidney diseases.
