Factors contributing to primary caregiver delay in presenting children with chronic kidney disease for medical care in Ghana.

Abigail Amoah,Sinegugu E Duma

doi:10.4102/phcfm.v11i1.1894

Abstract

BackgroundConforming to the 2016 World Kidney Day focus on raising awareness of the early detection of kidney diseases in children, we report on factors that contribute to primary caregiver delay in presenting their children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for medical care in Kumasi, Ghana.AimThe objective of the study was to explore and describe the factors that contribute to primary caregiver delay in presenting children with CKD for medical care in Kumasi, Ghana.SettingThe study was conducted in the Paediatric Renal Unit in Kumasi, Ghana.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in January 2017. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from a convenience sample of 10 primary caregivers whose children were admitted for CKD, but were not too ill. The primary caregivers had to respond to the research question: What factors contribute to your delay in presenting your child with CKD for medical care? Thematic data analysis and the ecological model of Schneider (2017) were used to organise the findings.ResultsFour themes and related subthemes, including intrapersonal-related factors, interpersonal-related factors, community-related factors and infrastructural factors were identified as those that contribute to delay in presenting children with CKD for medical care.ConclusionThe findings show that primary prevention strategies for CKD in children should not only focus on personal-related factors but also cut across all levels of the socio-ecological model in order for them to be effective.

Highlights

Conforming to the 2016 World Kidney Day focus on raising awareness of the early detection of kidney diseases in children, we report on factors that contribute to primary caregiver delay in presenting their children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for medical care in Kumasi, Ghana
This theme highlighted awareness about the relationship between childhood kidney disease and its progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in later life.[2]. It is important for all primary health care practitioners to be cognisant of factors that may contribute to delayed medical action towards the prevention of the progression of acute childhood kidney disease into chronic disease
The use of traditional medicines has been found to be effective in treating many ailments in Ghana and other African countries, this practice can contribute to delays in seeking Western medical care.[22]

Summary

Introduction

Conforming to the 2016 World Kidney Day focus on raising awareness of the early detection of kidney diseases in children, we report on factors that contribute to primary caregiver delay in presenting their children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for medical care in Kumasi, Ghana. This theme highlighted awareness about the relationship between childhood kidney disease and its progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in later life.[2] It is important for all primary health care practitioners to be cognisant of factors that may contribute to delayed medical action towards the prevention of the progression of acute childhood kidney disease into chronic disease. Primary health care practitioners should know the risk factors that may cause primary caregivers to delay in presenting their children for early detection and appropriate treatment of childhood kidney diseases in their communities. A qualitative study was chosen as the method to bring more insight to this issue

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion