Quality of Life of Kidney Donors at a National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the best renal replacement therapy for patients with end stage kidney disease. Living kidney donor transplant has better graft and recipient outcome. Information regarding quality of life of kidney donors has a positive influence on a potential donor’s attitude towards kidney donation. The aim of the study was to examine kidney donors’ quality of life in Kenya. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study design that aimed at examining kidney donors’ quality of life at a national teaching and referral hospital in Kenya. A total of 99 donors participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyze data. Predictors of quality of life were determined using Multiple regression models. Findings: The findings revealed that majority of the respondents had high quality of life. There was a strong significant relationship between donor’s Body Mass Index and Health Functioning component of QoL r (0.835), p<0.05 with a moderate relationship in Psychological factors r (0.492), p 05. Also there was a statistically significant association between, current monthly income, =24.793, (p 0.05), marital status =10.261 (p 0.05) and employment status =11.474 (p 0.05) and quality of life of kidney donors. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Health functioning quality of life component explained 27.5% of the total variance of quality of life while psychological factors explained 12.5%. Conclusions: The overall quality of life of kidney donors was high. Kidney donor’s employment status had a significant predictive association with their quality of life.