Chronic Kidney Diseases Among Homeless and Slum Dwellers in Accra: A Survey Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among homeless people in Nima and Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana and to evaluate the association between socio‑demographic characteristics and CKD. Results: Participants with normal serum creatinine (SCr), made up of 232 males and 280 females totaling 512 took part in the study. Those with normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were 86% and 84.6% by means of the C-G and MDRD equations respectively. According to the C-G formula, kidney damage and mild to severe renal insufficiency was found in 13.2% of the participants and 4 participants (0.8%) had renal failure. On the other hand, 15.4% of the participants were found to have some kidney damage and mild to severe renal insufficiency according to the MDRD formula with no participant suffering from kidney failure. The prevalence of renal dysfunction among the homeless Ghanaians was significant especially among those with hypertension, diabetes and human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV) infection. . Intensive social support aimed at preventing and managing kidney disease is crucial if we are to reduce the incidence of kidney related illnesses in homeless people.