Dietary Protein Consumption Pattern in Hyperphosphatemia Management Among Haemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Poor nutrition status in haemodialysis patients is associated with high mortality rates. A low phosphorus diet is likely to compromise dietary protein intake and nutrition status in this population. This study evaluated dietary protein consumption pattern and nutrition status among forty out-patient haemodialysis patients from Renal Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital using cross-sectional study. The Chi-square test and Kruskal‒Wallis H test were used to determine relationship between variables. More than half (58%) of the patients were male. Study participants had a mean age of 45.4±14.7 years with the majority (40%) between 40-59 years. More than three quarters (88%) had poor nutrition status with more than a third (38%) severely undernourished. More than half of the patients (53%) had dialysed for a period of more than one year. Most of study participants consumed only five types of legumes. Yellow bean, butterfly Kenyan kidney bean, butterfly haricot bean, red kidney bean and green lentil were commonly consumed legumes; 2-4 times per week by 45%, 23%, 23%, 8% and 15% of the patients respectively. Beef was the most consumed animal protein by more than half (53%) of the patients in 2-4 times a week. Second most consumed animal protein was egg white at least 2-3 times a week. Majority of the patients (58%) had poor knowledge scores (<50 % score) on food phosphorus reduction food preparation procedures in protein rich foods. This study found high prevalence of poor nutrition status and inadequate consumption of dietary protein among haemodialysis patients. This study recommends nutrition education and counseling on locally available dietary proteins and their preparation in order to meet dietary protein requirements without risk of hyperphosphatemia