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

Abstract

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.