Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes towards kidney transplantation in patients undergoing hemodialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania.

Abstract

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the treatment of choice for patients with End Stage Renal disease (ESRD), RRT include dialysis and kidney transplantation. Some sub-Saharan African countries including Tanzania have improved nephrology services dialysis and kidney transplant. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards kidney transplantation among patients undergoing dialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital. This was a hospital based cross-sectional study that was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital. A total of 190 patients were interviewed, majority were males 133(70%) with the age range of 18-80 years. Most patients 183(96.35%) were aware of Kidney transplantation the main source of information 175(95.6%) being hospital with 159 (86.9%) patients being aware of rules guiding kidney transplantation and 166 (90.7%) were aware of lifelong medication use after kidney transplantation. Knowledge on transplant was noted in 115(62.8%) with all of them being willing to receive kidney from blood related relatives. Majority 188 (64.5%) patients were not sure whether live kidney donation was better than deceased kidney donation. Better knowledge may ultimately translate into the act of donation. Effective measures should be taken to educate people with relevant information with the involvement of media, doctors and religious scholars. Large proportion considers Kidney Transplant positively but it limited by shortage of donors.