Abstract:
Background:There is a strong relationship between hypertension (HTN) and CKD (Chronic
Kidney Disease) and this relationship has an interrelated characteristic; this means that HTN can
be a cause or a complication CKD, and it is found in more than 80% of patients living with
CKD. Moreover, HTN is recognized to be a risk factor for cardiovascular conditions with the
potentiality to lead to a vicious cycle of cardiovascular diseases to CKD and vice versa. So,
being aware about HTN and adhering to self-care practices are very important to control blood
pressure (BP),and therefore to slow down the progression of HTN to CKD.
Aim: The main aim of this study was to assess the awareness and self-care practice regarding the
prevention of chronic kidney disease among patients living with high blood pressure at the
University Teaching Hospital of Butare located in the district of Huye, in the southof Rwanda.
Methods: The approach for this study was quantitative, and the designwas descriptive crosssectional.Collected data came from a sample of 140 participants chosen using purposive
sampling technique collected using a Closed-ended questionnaire. Datahave been analyzed using
SPSS Software Version number 23 with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results:Among the 140 participants, the findings about the level of awareness revealed that
48.6%% were with low level, 10% with moderate level, and 41.4% with high level. Regarding
the level of self-care practice, 6.4% were with low level, 56.5% with moderate level, and 37.1%
with high level. The only factor found to be associated with the awareness was the educational
level (mean = 9.9; 95% CI (7.9–11.9); p=.026). The factors associated with self-care practices
were age (mean = 18.6; 95% CI (17.1-20.1); p=.000); marital status (mean = 18.4; 95% CI
(17.1–19.7); p=.003); educational level (mean = 18.3; 95% CI (17.4–19.3); p=.020), occupation
(mean = 18.2; 95% CI (15.4–20.8); p=.021); residence (mean = 18.3; 95% CI (17.6–19);
p=.026). A non-significantweak positive relationship between awareness and self-care practices
of hypertensive patients has been observed (r = .254, n = 140, p = 0.02).
Conclusion: The results indicatedthat the majority of participants are with moderatelevels of
awareness and self-care practices regarding CKD prevention, therefore further actions are
needed to raise their awareness and self-care practices to prevent CKD caused by HTN.
