High Level of Exposure to Risk Information about Kidney Disease and Poor Knowledge, Poor Risk Perception and Poor Lifestyle Choices among University Students: Implications for University-Based Kidney Interventions in Nigeria

Previous studies have observed that university students may face increased risks of kidney disease due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, stress, and poor healthcare-seeking behaviour among the population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between access to risk information about kidney disease and knowledge, risk perception, and lifestyle choices among university students. The objectives include: to determine the level of exposure to risk information about kidney disease, identify the predominant communication channel and source of risk information about kidney disease, and examine the effect of risk information on knowledge of kidney disease, risk perception of the disease, and lifestyle choices among university students in Ekiti State. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional survey method and questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. The study participants involved 383 undergraduate students selected from a federal (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), state-owned (Ekiti State University (EKSU), and privately owned (Afe Babalola University, ABUAD) universities, using the online Google form. The findings showed a high level of awareness about kidney diseases and exposure to risk information about the disease. Social media served as the major channel of exposure to risk information, while non-governmental organizations served as the highest source of information. However, the results suggest poor knowledge of kidney disease, poor risk perception, and poor lifestyle choices among the students. Inferential analysis using Pearson’s Chi-square statistics revealed that the level of exposure to risk information about kidney disease has a statistically significant effect on knowledge, risk perception, and lifestyle choices among university students at p<0.05. These findings highlight the need for deliberate and persistent university-based kidney interventions. Effective interventions should focus not just on designing and implementing communication interventions to promote awareness and knowledge of kidney issues, but also on strategies to increase risk perception and support behavior change among students, as well as subsidized or free kidney screenings to ensure early detection of kidney problems.