Assessing the Attitude towards Nutrition Management Practices by Adult Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Study from Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

The aim of the study was to determine the attitude of adult stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients to nutrition management and its association with practices by renal adult patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. A cross-sectional analytical design was used to facilitate collection of qualitative and quantitative data and enable identification of associations between variables. Cochran formula was used to calculate a sample of 110 respondents. A research administered questionnaire with closed ended questions was used to collect information. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to describe demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population. Inferential statistics were done using chi square with an alpha of 0.05 to test association between independent and dependent variables. Over three quarters (77%) gave responses depicting a negative attitude. Attitude to taking one’s weight daily (0.017), watching the types of food to eat daily (0.001), use of food supplements to provide nutrients needed by the body (0.001) and following dietary recommendations (<0.022) were significantly associated with practices in management of stage 5 CKD. Participants in overall had a positive attitude to nutrition management however, their attitude to potassium reduction, use of supplements, understanding nutrition information and fluid regulation was negative regardless of their education and income levels. It was recommended that attitude of the patients could be further enhanced through strong nutrition advocacy messages for better nutrition management practices.