CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a disease of public health importance because its prevalence has been increasing both in developing and developed countries. According to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, CKD ranked among the top twenty causes of death. Garcia-Garcia G,(2013).

The devastating effect of the disease on socioeconomic lives of the people is more pronounced in developing countries because most CKD patients present late and at the terminal stage of the disease coupled with the fact that the disease predominantly affects young- and middle-aged persons who constitute the most productive group of any society. Adejumo OA,(2006).

 In Nigeria, the reported prevalence of CKD according to both hospital and community-based studies varies between 6% and 12%.Kadiri S, Arije(1999). The financial burden involved in taking care of most CKD sufferers are solely borne by the patients and their relatives most times, in developing countries like Nigeria unlike developed countries where there is well structured and established health insurance scheme to meet these financial needs. The cost of renal replacement therapy is beyond the reach of most Nigerian CKD patients. Ojeh-Oziegbe OE,(2013).

However, most developed countries may be unable to fully cope with financial demand of renal care if preventive efforts are not taken to curb this epidemic. Despite the huge burden of the disease in Nigeria, majority of Nigerians are not well informed about the disease. Dada SA, Awobusuyi JO, (2015).There is the need to create more public awareness, especially among high-risk individuals as part of the efforts to reduce the disease burden.

Adequate knowledge of CKD among health workers is essential for them to be effective in educating the society and counseling high-risk groups. In addition, the majority of the patients tend to seek advice on health-related issues from health workers such as nurses, who are family members and friends before presenting in the hospital.

Most studies have focused on assessing knowledge of CKD among non-nephrology specialist and non-specialist doctors.15-19 There is dearth of information on knowledge of CKD among nurses. This study assessed knowledge of CKD among nurses during their mandatory continuing professional development program in Akure, Southwest Nigeria with the aim of identifying areas of knowledge gaps which could be focused and emphasized when organizing educational programs in future.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable progressive disease that can lead to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country with two main religious groups and diverse cultures. Cultural practices, such as religious beliefs and traditional beliefs affect the health choices individuals make, depending on how their beliefs influence their perception, attitude, and management of CKD disease or other health related problems. It could also be that in most areas, there are no necessary equipment for the treatment to commence and it might also be that the people lack specialist to carry out the treatment for the patient and sometimes the cost of bringing specialist or the patient going to meet the specialist could be expensive as well; therefore, when patient puts all these into consideration and they cannot help it then result to patient mortality. Finally, several researches has been carried out on the awareness of chronic kidney disease in Hail region but not even a single research has been carried out on knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council, Abuja.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

        The main aim of the study is to examine the knowledge of kidney diseases among secondary school students. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the effect of knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council Abuja.
2. to determine the factors affecting the knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council Abuja.
3. to determine the extent to which knowledge of kidney disease affects secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal, Abuja.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1. What is the effect of knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council Abuja?
2. What are the factors affecting the knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council Abuja?
3. What is the extent to which knowledge of kidney disease affects secondary school students in selected private schools in Abuja municipal, Abuja?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:   the level of awareness of kidney diseases among secondary school students is low.      

H1: the level of awareness of kidney diseases among secondary school students is high.   

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

        The study on the knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students will be of immense benefit to the entire schools in Abuja in the sense that the study will enable the government authorities especially the health unit to create awareness in the urban and as well as the rural areas about the effect and causative factors of kidney diseases among human beings and they will also help them to treat the information as important. It will also enable the government to make available the necessary facilities for the treatment of the victims. Not only will the government make provision for equipment but also to employ specialist in the field as of this. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

        The study on the knowledge of kidney disease among secondary school students is limited to some selected private schools in Abuja municipal area council Abuja.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Knowledge      facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

Kidney    Each of a pair of organs in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds, and reptiles, that excrete urine.

Disease    It is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, and that is not due to any external injury.