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.