BackgroundKidney Diseases contribute a significant proportion to the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Haemodialysis services as the main modality of renal replacement therapy in most resource limited countries is only available in few cities and at higher costs. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges and outcomes of patients who were on haemodialysis at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania.MethodsIn this retrospective study; we reviewed haemodialysis registers and charts of 116 patients dialyzed from January 2013 to June 2015 at The UDOM haemodialysis unit. Data were descriptively and inferentially analysed using Stata version 11 software.ResultsOf the 116 patients, 52 (44.9%) were male, and 38(32.8%) were married. Their median age was 45 years. Thirty-two (27.6%) had acute kidney injury, of them 26 (81.3%) patients had recovery of renal function after haemodialysis. Indications for hemodialysis were anuria (18), intoxications (14), electrolyte imbalance (9), uraemia (7) infections (6) and fluid overload (4). Eighty-four (72.4%) patients had End Stage Renal Diseases (ESRD), of which 37 (44.1%) absconded/lost to follow up, 15 (17.9%) died, 22 (26.2%) were referred to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), 12 for possible kidney transplant abroad after haemodialysis, and 10 (11.9%) were still attending our unit for haemodialysis. Residing outside Dodoma was predictive for poor outcomes while on haemodialysis (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.2–8.6, p < 0.001). In addition the odds ratio for poor outcomes was 7.3 times for a patient ESRD (OR7.34, 95% CI 3.26–18.17, p < 0.001). Patients who had no National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) coverage (OR 6.6, 95% CI 5.4–12.7, p < 0.001) also had higher odds of poor outcomes after starting haemodialysis.ConclusionUnavailability and high costs related to utilization of haemodialysis services among patients needing dialysis are the challenges for better outcomes. Therefore, haemodialysis and renal transplants services should be made easily available in regional referral hospitals at reasonable costs. In addition, members of the public should be educated on joining health insurance schemes and on making healthy life style choices for preventing chronic kidney disease and its progression.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide, due to its epidemic proportions and the associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, data on the burden of CKD among patients attending hospitals in Tanzania are still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with CKD among patients presenting at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) haemodialysis unit in Tanzania. , a total of 1,395 patients presented at the UDOM haemodialysis unit with history of kidney disease. Of these patients, 1244 (89.2%) enrolled into this study, 651 (52.3%) of them were female. Almost two-thirds (n=792, 63.7%) of the patients were found to have CKD, 59.1% with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Among those who had CKD, 347 (43.8%) had hypertension, 241 (30.4%) had diabetic mellitus, 79 (10.0%) had chronic glomerulonephritis, 70 (8.8%) had hypertension and diabetes mellitus, 38 (4.8%) had HIV/AIDS, and 17 (2.1%) had hepatitis B. The median serum creatinine level was 222 lmol/L (interquartile range [IQR] 126 to 317), urea level was 14.5 mmol/L (IQR 5 to 24), hemoglobin was 11.0 g/dL (IQR 6.2 to 15.7), and body mass index was 27.1 kg/m 2 (IQR 17.3 to 36.8). Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and systolic hypertension were associated with developing CKD (P<.001). A total of 116 patients received haemodialysis during the study period.

Background: Anaemia is a common complication that contributes to the burden of kidney diseases. Anaemia confers significant risk of cardiovascular disease and contributes to decreased quality of life. While the primary cause of anaemia is the inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys to support erythropoiesis, other factors may contribute to anaemia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of anaemia among patients presenting with kidney diseases at the haemodialysis unit of the University of Dodoma (UDOM) hospital in central Tanzania.Methodology: In this retrospective study we reviewed data of patients who presented at UDOM haemodialysis unit in Tanzania with kidney diseases as from January 2013 to June 2015. Data were descriptively and inferentially analysed using Stata version 11 software.Results: A total of 1,395 patients were involved in this study. Of these, 792 (56.8%) presented with kidney diseases, 249 (31.4%) were found to have anaemia.  The leading cause of anaemia was chronic kidney disease (CKD) 136 (54.6%), blood loss 74(29.7), haemolysis 15 (6.0%), Nutrition 13(5.2%) and others 11 (4.4%). Glomerular filtration rate of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 accounted for 59.1% of CKD. Median [IQR] serum creatinine level: 246 [177 – 317] μmol/L, Urea level 16[8 -24] mmol/L and haemoglobin of 9.8 [6.2 - 13.4] g/dL. Prevalence of anaemia was strongly associated with declining glomerular filtration rate (P= 0.01).Conclusion: Anaemia is very common among patients presenting with kidney diseases. These patients require a thorough evaluation to identify and correct causes of anaemia other than erythropoietin deficiency.