Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): knowledge of risk factors and preventive practices of CKD among students at a University in Rwanda

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global public health burden. Most people miss the early subtle signs that can develop at any age. CKD has severe complications, including End-stage Renal Disease.Objective: To assess the knowledge level of CKD risk factors and preventive practices among university students in Rwanda.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used from April to May 2017. A stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit 260 university students. A 36-item questionnaire was selfadministered. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The mean age was 29 years and over half were female (53.4%). A great number (44%) had a low knowledge level of CKD and its risk factors, a third (34%) had moderate, and only (22%) had a high knowledge level of CKD risk factors. The majority (50.4%) had low level of preventive practices, nearly half (45%) had moderate and only (4.6%) had high level of preventive practice.Conclusion: CKD knowledge and preventive practices in this study population were low. Knowledge gained and desire for healthy preventive practices may have been a benefit of the study. CKD educational programs should be further developed to prevent this significant problem affecting the Rwandese community.Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, knowledge, preventive practices, university students