Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease and Non-Communicable Diseases Burden in the Rural Community of South Africa

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Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease and Non-Communicable Diseases Burden in the Rural Community of South Africa

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Co-author 1

Siyanda A Ngema ngemasa@tut.ac.za Tshwane University of Technology Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science City of Tshwane South Africa *

Co-author 2

Boitumelo Mudumela tumi@davhadumela.co.za Tshwane Univesity of Technology Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science City of Tshwane South Africa -

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Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a growing public health challenge in rural South African communities. Yet, prevalence data and awareness levels remain poorly documented. This study assessed the burden of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and kidney dysfunction in the Lapalala community.

Methods

A cross-sectional health screening campaign was conducted in August 2025 involving 168 community members (64 males, 104 females) aged 18-85 years (mean age 41.3 years). Measurements included blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), random glucose levels, kidney function (GFR and creatinine), and self-reported disease history. Blood pressure and BMI were categorised according to the World Health Organisation's classifications.

Results

Participants' self-reported hypertension was relatively low at 6.5% (11/168), however, clinical measurements indicated 76.8% had elevated blood pressure meeting hypertension criteria, with 45.8% classified as Stage 2 and 31.0% as Stage 1, revealing a significant underdiagnosis rate of 93.5% with only 13.1% having normal blood pressure readings. Overall, obesity rates were high, with 56% of participants categorised as obese, 30.9% obese and 25.0% overweight, with a marked gender disparity. 37.5% of females were obese compared to 20.3% of males, while only 39.3% of participants had a normal BMI.

Kidney function also appeared compromised, with a mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 66.7 mL/min/1.73m², indicating reduced kidney function; those with a GFR <60 exhibited significantly higher blood pressure of 145/86 mmHg compared to the 132/80 mmHg in individuals with normal kidney function. Finally, strong positive correlations were found between BMI and blood pressure, with obese individuals averaging 140/85 mmHg and normal-weight individuals averaging 128/78 mmHg. Additionally, age correlated positively with both blood pressure and creatinine levels, and negatively with GFR.

Conclusion

This study reveals a high burden of undiagnosed and unmanaged non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and obesity, leading to significant kidney impairment. The profound disparity between self-reported disease and clinical measurements indicates massive underdiagnosis of hypertension. Combined with high obesity rates and evidence of kidney dysfunction, this community faces significant cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. The findings demonstrate an urgent need for community-based screening programs, health education, accessible treatment, and lifestyle intervention initiatives.

Kewords