Introduction Jamaica has a high attributable burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) but no population-based prevalence estimates. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of CKD and explore associated factors.

Methods A secondary analysis of data from Jamaican residents aged ≥15 years from the nationally representative Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey-III was performed. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73 m2, using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2021 or Schwartz-Lyon equations, and/or albuminuria ≥30 mg/g. Associated factors included age, sex, socio-economic status, education level, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and sickle cell trait. Weighted prevalence estimates were determined accounting for survey design. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate CKD associations.

Results Analyses included 583 participants, 217 males, mean ±SD age was 49.0 ± 18.2 years. CKD prevalence was 14.8% [95%CI: 11.5%-18.9%]. Seven percent (7.2% [95%CI: 5.1%-10.1%]) had CKD Stage 3 or higher and 8.8% [95%CI:6.3%-12.0%] had albuminuria. CKD participants were older (mean age 57 versus 46.3 years, p<0.001), had higher mean systolic blood pressure (140.3 mmHg versus 128.3 mmHg, p<0.001), and fasting glucose (6.7 micromoles/L versus 5.8 micromoles/L, p<0.001). In a multivariable regression model, hypertension (OR 2.14, 95%CI: 1.22-3.75), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.39, 95%CI: 1.36-4.19) were associated with CKD. Higher education level was inversely associated with CKD, (OR 0.47, 95%CI:0.25-0.89) and (OR 0.41, 95CI: 0.18-0.96) for secondary and tertiary education respectively.

Conclusion An estimated 1 in 7 Jamaicans have CKD. This may translate to increased health care burden on the Jamaican health system.

The First Author (LAF) has speaker's fees for Dr. Reddy's International and Servier International, but the remaining authors report no competing interests

This study was funded by research grants from the National Health Fund Award Number HPP 315 and Award Number HPP 597

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The Ethics committees of both the University of the West Indies, Mona and the Ministry of Health and Wellness Jamaica gave ethical approval for this work.

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