Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: July | Volume: 13 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 110-121
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230718
Diet and Comorbidities Affecting Hemodialysis Patients at the Renal Unit in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya: A Cross Sectional Analytic Study
Muthoni Rachael Maina1, Judith Ndombi Waudo2, Regina Wangui Kamuhu3
1,2,3Department of Food Nutrition and Dietetics,
School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Corresponding Author: Muthoni Rachael Maina
ABSTRACT
Though there are good guidelines by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative on the recommended dietary energy and protein intake, haemodialysis patients are unable to meet because of dietary restrictions to prevent sodium, potassium and phosphorus mineral imbalances, low socioeconomic status and presence of comorbidities. In Kenya 4% are affected by renal failure which may not be the true burden as the country lacks national renal registries. There is inadequate information on the actual dietary intake and comorbidities affecting the haemodialysis patients in Kenya which this study sought to answer. A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 84 respondents undergoing haemodialysis present during the month of November 2021 at Kenyatta National Hospital renal unit. They were selected using consecutive purposive sampling. Data collection was done using a researcher administered digitalized questionnaire for the socio-demographic and economic factors, selected comorbidities that affect dietary intake, two 24hr dietary recalls both on non-dialysis and dialysis days, a 7-day food frequency questionnaire and nutrition supplement consumption. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 was used to analyse data. The mean age was 42.24±16.6 years with 41 males and 43 females. Employed were 38.1% and 66.7% relied on family for financial support. Fluid overload (50%), Diabetes Mellitus (20.2%), severe gastrointestinal disturbances (10.8%), present or past malignancy (4.8%) and cardiovascular illness (4.8%) were the comorbidities present among the respondents. The average energy intake was 14.738±8.46 kcals/ kg body weight/ day with non-dialysis energy intake being statically significantly higher (p=.017) than on dialysis day. The mean protein intake was 0.43g/kg/day. The mean daily micronutrient intake was as follows: sodium, 904.54±805.27mg; potassium 973.57±595.2mg; phosphorus, 549.835±401.91mg; calcium, 203.78±127.325mg; zinc 4.92±4.02mg; vitamin C, 42.83±31.58mg; and vitamin B6, 0.815±0.685mg. This study reveals that there is low dietary macro and micronutrient intake among haemodialysis patients particularly intradialytic days.
Key words: Haemodialysis patient; dietary energy intake; dietary protein intake; micronutrient intake; comorbidities