Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors in Rural Tanzania: Insights From a Community-Based Screening in Kilombero.

Background and Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health issue in low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania, where cases are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The true burden of CKD and its risk factors in rural communities is not well-documented. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD risk factors among participants of a community-based mass screening program in Kilombero, Tanzania. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based study on 374 adults during a mass screening event in Kilombero, Tanzania. Participants were conveniently sampled and screened for key CKD risk factors, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Data were collected via structured interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the prevalence of CKD risk factors. Results: The mean age of participants was 53.9 years, with 63.4% being male. We found a high prevalence of CKD risk factors: 39.2% were obese, 43.6% had high systolic blood pressure, and 30% had elevated blood glucose. These rates are considerably higher than those reported in previous studies in comparable settings. Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD risk factors in this rural Tanzanian community is alarmingly high, suggesting an impending CKD epidemic. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrating NCD screening and management into routine community health programs, alongside targeted public health interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and ensure early detection and management of risk factors. Addressing this burden is critical to preventing widespread kidney failure and protecting public health in resource-limited settings.