Profile of chronic kidney disease modifiable risk factors in a rural community of south east Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the increase globally. Prevention of this condition is ideal, however early detection of the disease becomes desirable where the disease process has begun as there are known interventions which can slow the progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed at detecting the profile of some modifiable risk factors for CKD in a cohort of household heads in a rural community with limited resources for managing chronic kidney diseases. METHODS: The study was conducted in a rural community in southeast Nigeria. One hundred and forty five household heads from randomly selected households were interviewed. Their blood pressures were taken and their urine tested. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Simple frequencies and means were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 145 house hold heads were enrolled. Their mean age was 45.08 (19.65) years. Forty-seven percent had no prior knowledge of their blood pressure and 31.5% were found to be hypertensive. Only one study participant (1%) had ever had a urinalysis test and proteinuria and glycosuria were found in 50.4 and 27.9% respectively. Most (75%) patronized patent medicine vendors for their primary healthcare while 31.8% had taken herbal mixtures in the past. CONCLUSION: There are presently many modifiable risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease in rural communities in south-east Nigeria. Urgent targeted intervention is required to forestall an epidemic of CKD in the near future.