Adolescent nephrology: An emerging frontier for kidney care in sub‐Saharan Africa. Issue 12 (16th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidson, Bianca; Okpechi, Ikechi; McCulloch, Mignon; Wearne, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Nephrology. Volume 22:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 933
• Page End: 939
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16
• Subjects: adolescent -- Africa -- renal care; Nephrology -- Periodicals; Kidneys -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Nephrologists -- Periodicals; 616.61; 616.61
• DOI: 10.1111/nep.13135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1320-5358

Abstract

Summary at a Glance: This review focused on the complexities of adolescent nephrology in an African setting. This review will provide meaningful information in the field of the transition medicine all over the world. ABSTRACT: Adolescents make up a quarter of the world's population and are important users of health services. In South Africa little is known about the extent of renal disease or outcomes in this group. Adolescents are a vulnerable age group, due to their neurocognitive development, engagement in high‐risk social activities, prevalence of mental illness and increasing rates of HIV infection. In Africa access to renal replacement therapy is rationed, therefore the focus of renal disease must be one of prevention rather than dealing with the management of end stage renal disease. Treating adolescents is a challenging field, as compliance is essential as a preventative strategy. This review will outline how a cost effective adolescent service was established in a resource limited setting. The adolescent friendly clinic aims to ease transition of adolescents, improve engagement within the health service and ultimately aims to improve compliance. In order to treat adolescents, it is important to deliver age‐appropriate treatment that can be implemented in any chronic disease setting to give the adolescent the greatest chance of success.