Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Shanna Barnett

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable progressive disease that can lead to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. In Nigeria, many people do not have access to health care due to extreme poverty, which means that those suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure, or both diseases, which have been identified as the 2 main risk factors, may not know their health status. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the level of CKD awareness among Nigerians and if cultural beliefs affect individuals' health seeking behaviors because of the diverse nature of the Nigerian population. The protection motivation theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 participants, and data analysis included traditional coding. Findings indicated that CKD awareness in Nigeria is low. The social change implication is that the findings may be used to increase awareness of the CKD mortality and morbidity rate in Nigeria to facilitate the development and implementation of health policies that could lower the morbidity and mortality rate of CKD.

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