Determinants Of Adherence To Dietary Prescription Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease means it has become a leading cause of death worldwide and a global health concern. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Tanzania is 12.4%. A major cause of mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease is non-adherence to dietary prescription. However, factors associated with non-adherence to dietary prescription remain unknown. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive cross sectional design, To investigate determinants of adherence to dietary prescription among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Result: Data were obtained from 150 participants; 56.7% adhered to their prescribed diet. Factors significantly associated with adherence to dietary prescription were permanent residence in the city where the hospital was located (p=0.018), age (p=0.000), employment status (p=0.017), duration of chronic kidney disease (p=0.001), comorbidity (p=0.029), family awareness (p=0.003), affordability (p=0.044) and convenience of nutritional counseling services (p=0.046), and conversation with a healthcare provider regarding diet (p=0.039). Predictors of adherence were permanent residence (p=0.010), age (p=0.002), duration of chronic kidney disease (p=0.012), and conversation regarding diet with a healthcare provider (p=0.018). Conclusion These findings highlight a need for interventions to improve adherence to dietary prescription. Building understanding of determinants of adherence to dietary regimens among patients with end-stage renal disease is critical because of the poor progress associated with non-adherence. Further mixed method research should be conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of adherence to dietary prescription and associated factors.