Exploring the Experiences of Individuals Living with Chronic Kidney Disease in The South Tongu District in The Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Individuals living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face challenges such as financial constraints, stress stemming from both the illness itself and its treatment. These challenges encompass physical, psychological, emotional, and social dimensions. As CKD impacts various aspects of a person’s life, the experience of managing the disease is unique to each individual; however, there is limited research on the lived experiences of individuals living with chronic kidney disease. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of individuals with chronic kidney disease. Participants were purposely selected from among CKD patients receiving care at the South Tongu District Hospital and Richard Novati Catholic Hospital. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide through an in-depth interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using the Atlas. Ti software. Results: The results revealed that CKD patients experienced symptoms that are non-specific in the early stages of the disease, such as headache, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Health-seeking was initially characterized by reliance on alternative medicines and over-the-counter medications; however, after diagnosis, patients relied solely on hospital-based treatment, especially dialysis. Financial challenges, distance to treatment centers, and inadequate institutional support hindered treatment adherence. Support from family was the most used support system for care. Conclusion: The findings revealed that the experiences of people living with CKD are shaped by a combination of socioeconomic and systemic factors. It highlights the gaps in institutional support while exposing the critical role of family in sustaining care. These results underscore the need for sustainable interventions such as enhancing institutional support systems and improving access to renal services to improve the experiences of people living with CKD.