article · International Journal of Nephrology
A cross-sectional study carried out at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania examined the employment patterns and treatment-related challenges faced by 134 young adults aged 18 to 49 on maintenance haemodialysis. The findings reveal that kidney disease severely disrupts the livelihoods of patients in their productive years. While 58.3 percent of the participants were employed or self-employed, nearly two-thirds of working patients altered their work routines due to treatment demands, and almost 45 percent could not work on dialysis days. Furthermore, 24.6 percent were unemployed, with over half of them having resigned because of dialysis pressures. Financial strain was widespread, with 52.3 percent paying for treatment out of pocket. Although awareness of kidney transplantation reached 92.5 percent, only 27.6 percent actively pursued it, primarily restricted by donor shortages, high procedural costs, or both.
Chronic kidney disease increasingly impacts young adults during their peak working years in low- and middle-income countries. This research demonstrates how the demanding schedules and costs of regular dialysis directly cause loss of employment and personal financial strain, emphasising the urgent need for support structures and affordable, curative solutions such as kidney transplantation.
The abstract outlines observational health services research rather than a commercial product or technical process. Consequently, it does not indicate an immediate application pathway or commercialisation opportunity, although the findings highlight unmet needs for affordable renal care solutions, accessible dialysis scheduling, and lower-cost transplantation services.
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Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increasingly affects young adults in low-and middle-income countries, with significant social and economic consequences. In Tanzania, many patients begin dialysis during their most productive years, often disrupting employment and financial stability. This study aimed to examine employment patterns and dialysis-related work challenges among young adults on maintenance hemodialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study at Muhimbili National Hospital from October to December 2024, involving adults aged 18-49 years on maintenance hemodialysis for at least three months. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and supplemented with clinical records to assess sociodemographic, dialysis-related, employment, and transplant-related factors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Results: We included 134 patients aged between 18 and 49 years, with a mean age of 35.8 years (SD: 8.9). A total of 58.3% were either employed or self-employed, with 44.9% reporting that they did not work on dialysis days. Among those working, 65.4% experienced changes in their work patterns due to treatment demands, and 42.4% worked fewer than 4 days per week. Among the unemployed participants (24.6%), more than half (57.6%) reported resigning from work due to dialysis-related challenges. Out-of-pocket payment for dialysis was common, reported by 52.3% of participants. Although awareness of kidney transplantation was high (92.5%), only 27.6% had previously pursued or were actively pursuing it, primarily hindered by the absence of a donor (48.3%), high cost (23.0%), or both (28.7%). Conclusion: Young adults on maintenance hemodialysis in Tanzania face significant employment disruptions and limited access to kidney transplantation, highlighting the need for integrated interventions to support their social and economic well-being.
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DOI: 10.1155/ijne/9980961
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