Perspectives of Youths at Kenyatta National Hospital Living With End Stage Kidney Disease on the Impact of the Disease

Abstract

Background: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a public health concern that occurs as a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in which the kidneys have lost almost all of their function. Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, Kenya included with its increasing burden associated to rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension and HIV/AIDS. ESKD requires multidisciplinary approaches in its management and its treatments are complex and expensive. Youths are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ESKD due to their unique developmental needs which can interfere with their treatment compliance and general well-being. There was need therefore to explore their perspectives regarding the impacts of the disease. Study objective: To explore the perspectives of youths at Kenyatta National Hospital living with ESKD on the impact of the disease Methodology: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was used to explore the perspectives of youths at Kenyatta National Hospital living with ESKD on the impact of the disease. Purposive sampling was used to identify the potential participants for the study. The study sample size of 11 participants was established on the basis of data saturation. Data from the study participants was collected using in-depth interviews with an interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, then transcribed verbatim. The data was probed using the NVivo software then thematic analysis was done. Results: The study participants were youths aged 15-24 years living with ESKD most of whom were single and lived with their families. In relation to the participants’ perspectives regarding the physical impacts of end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney diseasethe physical impacts of the end stage kidney disease, body changes emerged as the main theme with extreme weakness and fatigue, weight loss and body pains as its sub-themes. In relation to the participants’ perspectives regarding the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological the psychological impacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney disease, uncertainties emerged as the main theme with anxiety and stress and feeling frustrated and sad as its sub-themes. In relation to the participants’ perspectives regarding the socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe socialthe social impacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney diseaseimpacts of the end stage kidney disease, biographical disruption emerged as the main theme with reliance on social capital and disrupted social life as its sub-themes. Conclusion: Youths living with ESKD did experience a wide range of adverse physical, psychological and social impacts of the ailment. Recommendation: Health practitioners at KNH’s renal unit should accord due consideration to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of youths receiving treatment for the condition in the hospital. Youths receiving treatment for ESKD should also be encouraged to seek help for any adverse physical, mental and social effects of ESKD that they experience