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Published on: June 8, 2022
Prevalence and correlates of proteinuria in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional pilot study
Joseph Lunyera1,2, John W Stanifer3, Prossie Ingabire4
1Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, USA. josephlunyera@gmail.com.
Insights
A pilot study in Uganda found high rates of proteinuria, hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose among urban adults. This highlights the urgent need for more chronic kidney disease (CKD) research and awareness in sub-Saharan Africa.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence is rising in sub-Saharan Africa, yet awareness and access to care remain limited.
- Few community-based CKD screenings have been conducted in Uganda, hindering early detection and management.
- The Uganda Kidney Foundation organized a World Kidney Day screening event to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a pilot community-based screening for CKD risk factors in urban Uganda.
- To assess the prevalence of proteinuria, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, and obesity.
- To raise awareness and facilitate further epidemiological studies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Uganda.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda, in March 2013.
- Participants were recruited via mass media (radio, TV, newspapers) and public notices.
- Screening included tests for proteinuria, hypertension, fasting glucose, and obesity.
Main Results:
- 141 adult urban residents were enrolled; 64% were young adults (18-39 years).
- High prevalence rates were observed: proteinuria (13%), hypertension (38%), and impaired fasting glucose (13%).
- Proteinuria was notably higher in young adults and individuals with a history of alcohol intake.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a significant prevalence of proteinuria among urban Ugandans, indicating a potential public health concern.
- These findings underscore the critical need for increased CKD awareness and recognition in the region.
- The results support the feasibility of conducting larger epidemiological studies on NCDs in Uganda.
Background:
Despite the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sub-Saharan Africa, few community-based screenings have been conducted in Uganda. Opportunities to improve the management of CKD in sub-Saharan Africa are limited by low awareness, inadequate access, poor recognition, and delayed presentation for clinical care. Therefore, the Uganda Kidney Foundation engaged key stakeholders in performing a screening event on World Kidney Day.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study in March 2013 from a convenience sample of adult, urban residents in Kampala, Uganda. We advertised the event using radio and television announcements, newspapers, billboards, and notice boards at public places, such as places of worship. Subsequently, we screened for proteinuria, hypertension, fasting glucose impairment, and obesity in a central and easily-accessible location.
Results:
We enrolled 141 adults most of whom were female (57 %), young (64 %; 18-39 years), and had a professional occupation (52 %). The prevalence of proteinuria (13 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 7-19 %), hypertension (38 %; 95 % CI 31-47 %), and impaired fasting glucose (13 %; 95 % CI 9-20 %) were high in this study population. Proteinuria was most prevalent among young (18-39 years) adults (n = 14; 16 %) and among those who reported a history of alcohol intake (n = 10; 32 %).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of proteinuria was high among a convenience sample of urban residents in a sub-Saharan African setting. These results represent an important effort by the Ugandan Kidney Foundation to increase awareness and recognition of CKD, and they will help formulate additional epidemiological studies on NCDs in Uganda which are urgently needed and now feasible.
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