Determinants of Willingness to Accept Kidney Transplantation Among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Ghana

Abstract Background The burden of chronic kidney disease in Africa is three to four times higher than high-income countries and the cost of treatment is beyond the reach of most affected persons. The ultimate treatment for end stage renal disease is kidney transplantation which is not available in most African countries. As kidney transplantation is a budding treatment in Ghana, this study assessed factors which could influence Chronic kidney disease patients’ willingness to accept it as a treatment option. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of willingness to accept kidney transplantation as a treatment option for end stage renal disease among chronic kidney disease patients in Ghana. Methods This cross-sectional survey was carried out among chronic kidney disease patients in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Consecutive sampling method was used to recruit consenting patients. Structured questionnaire and standardized research instruments were used to obtain information on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, knowledge about transplant, perception of transplantation, religiosity and spirituality. Logistic regression model was used to assess the determinants of willingness to accept kidney transplantation. Results 342 CKD patients participated in the study of which 56.7% (n = 194) were males. The mean age of the participants was 50.24 ± 17.08 years. The proportion of participants willing to accept kidney transplantation was 67.3% (95%CI: 62.0–72.2%). The factors which influenced participants’ willingness to accept this treatment include; willingness to attend a class on kidney transplantation (p < 0.016), willingness to donate a kidney if they had the chance (p < 0.005), perception that living person could donate a kidney (p < 0.001) and perception of improved quality of life after transplant (p < 0.005). The barriers for accepting kidney transplantation were anticipated complications of transplant surgery and financial constraints. Conclusion More than two-thirds of CKD patients were willing to accept kidney transplantation and this is influenced by multiple factors. Government health agencies must consider full or partial coverage of kidney transplantation through the existing national health insurance scheme. Further, efficient educational programmes are required to improve patients and physician’s knowledge on the importance of kidney transplantation.