Children undergoing dialysis for kidney disease.
The NKFSA Kidney Awareness and Screening Programme aims to provide basic education for grade 11 and 12 school learners regarding the incidence, dangers and causes of high blood pressure (genetic and lifestyle associated) with special discussions, for instance, on the role of salt in modern diets. We intend over time to bring attention to these facts to school learners across South Africa.
By doing so, we will have made significant inroads into the ability to diagnose high blood pressure at an early stage so that, with adequate treatment, we can prevent thousands of citizens from suffering many of the cardiovascular and kidney disease consequences of hypertension. Globally these consequences contribute to about 13.5% of the annual deaths in any given population, though potentially most of them can be avoided.
The programme entails a series of basic lectures delivered by local experts discussing the incidence, age of onset, risk factors and effects on the heart, brain, blood vessels and kidneys of poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes and other causes of kidney disease. This is then followed by a talk on healthy living in terms of diet and exercise. Emphasis is placed on the “hidden salt” foods also common to modern diets: processed foods, pre-cooked meals, dining out, take-away foods and snacks (junk food).
After the introductory lectures each learner is interviewed and simple measurements are performed. These consist of recording their age and sex; family history of blood high pressure, diabetes or both; height and weight (to calculate Body Mass Index); mid-waist circumference; obtaining a urine sample for dipstick tests examining red and white blood cells and/or protein levels, and obtaining a blood pressure reading. Total confidentiality is maintained and nobody has access to the learners’ names other than the relevant guardians or parents. All the screening tests are conducted on a voluntary and full consent basis.
The NKFSA intends to analyse the test results with a view to publishing in a leading South African medical journal. Results from the initial phases have revealed some astonishing facts about South African youth, with interesting variances in different settings. The main concern is that on average at least 14% of youths have hypertension, which, if not identified and treated early, will result in major future health problems that will likely cost the country dearly.
We believe that participation in our Kidney Awareness and Screening Programme is of great importance to the future health of the South African population.
Professor Anthony Meyers is the chairman of the National Kidney Foundation