Assessment of the Knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia Among University Students in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is typically associated with anemia, with both implicated in global mortalities and morbidities. Adequate knowledge about these conditions might help individuals to prevent and/or manage them effectively. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of CKD and anemia regarding their causes, risk factors, and preventive practices among undergraduate students.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional design conducted from July 2023 to September 2023, involving 267 students pursuing either health-related or nonhealth-related programs. A structured questionnaire was administered to participants to assess their knowledge of CKD and anemia and was analyzed.

Results

An overwhelming majority, 208 (77.9%), demonstrated a good level of general knowledge of CKD, whereas an even higher proportion, 215 (80.5%), had a good level of general knowledge of anemia. Also, the bulk of the participants, 222 (83.1%), showed a good level of knowledge of the relationship between CKD and anemia. There was a significant relationship between a student's faculty and general CKD knowledge (p < 0.001). Participants in health-related faculties and in the third/fourth year significantly had good knowledge of CKD than those in nonhealth-related faculties and in the first/second year of studies. With regards to anemia, individuals aged 20 years and beyond had good knowledge of anemia than teenage students. There was also a significant relationship between a student's faculty and general knowledge of anemia (p < 0.001), such that participants in health-related faculties were about 99% less likely to have poor knowledge of anemia than those in nonhealth-related faculties [AOR = 0.01 (0.00, 0.007)].

Conclusion

Students with good knowledge of CKD, anemia, and/or their interrelationships were the majority. However, students in health-related faculties significantly had good knowledge of both CKD and anemia than their counterparts in nonhealth-related faculties. Health-related courses that would enlighten students in nonhealth-related faculties should be promoted.