SCREENING FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN AT-RISK GROUPS IN PRIMARY CARE: A DESCRIPTIVE INTERVENTION STUDY

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a silent and highly prevalent condition, especially among hypertensive and diabetic individuals, representing a significant public health concern. Lack of awareness of early signs hinders early diagnosis, increasing the risk of severe complications and the need for renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis, which requires frequent sessions and negatively affects patients' quality of life. This project aimed to promote health education on CKD and screen for related symptoms among users of Primary Health Care. This is a descriptive study based on an educational intervention of an outreach nature. The intervention was carried out at the Basic Health Unit (UBS) in the Aquidaban neighborhood in the municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The activity consisted of an educational lecture on kidney functions, risk factors, and early signs of CKD, followed by the application of a structured questionnaire. The approach used accessible language, visual resources, and space for questions and clarifications. Among the participants, 60% had one or more risk factors for CKD development, and 53% were unaware of related comorbidities. This finding reinforces the importance of health education actions and strengthening self-care. The analysis of responses revealed that most participants belonged to at-risk groups and were unaware of the initial symptoms of CKD. It is concluded that simple educational interventions are effective in Primary Care for early risk identification, emphasizing the importance of self-care and the continuity of similar initiatives.