Getting the message across
Reaching out to young adults about kidney disease calls for a more contemporary approach, writes Meera Murugesan
WHEN you’re young and in the prime of your life, anything seems possible. But good health is not a guarantee, especially if your lifestyle makes it impossible for you to stay healthy.
The rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Malaysia is a known fact and, with this rise, comes an increase in chronic kidney disease (CKD), driven primarily by the increase in type 2 diabetes.
In 2018, according to statistics reported in the Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry, 30 per cent of dialysis patients in Malaysia were under the age of 45. Being young does not protect them from a disease that severely impacts the kidneys and quality of life.
Dr Rafidah Abdullah, consultant nephrologist at Hospital Putrajaya, says the main cause of CKD is diabetes. In fact, the cause of CKD in more than 60 per cent of dialysis patients is diabetes.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 reports that one in five adult Malaysians have diabetes and a substantial proportion are unaware they even have the disease.
“CKD related to diet and lifestyle can be prevented by practising a healthy way of life,” adds Dr Rafidah, who is also co-founder of MedTweetMy and MyBuahPinggang.
But why isn’t this message reaching Malaysia’s young adults? Hasn’t enough been said and disseminated over the years about CKD and the need to practise a healthy lifestyle?
CHANGING THE APPROACH
One way to address the problem may be to use social media instead of traditional platforms to spread awareness about CKD. After all, Malaysia reports the highest use
of social media in the Asia Pacific.
Dr Rafidah says social media can be an important tool for CKD awareness and promotion of preventive strategies.
Platforms such as Twitter and Instagram are being used by more young people. Hence, messages may reach these groups.
However, the method of delivery needs to be tailored to their interest and needs.
“It needs to attract their attention so that the right messages can be delivered.”
Health literacy in Malaysia is generally low, she adds, so we have a long journey ahead.
“We need to explore many different methods, including non-traditional ones, to reach out,” says Dr Rafidah.
Using or engaging social media influencers or celebrities to drive home the message can be a good strategy, she adds, as these people have a good reach.
However, Dr Rafidah says such efforts
need to be constant, periodic and sustainable.
Another challenge comes from the fact that social media are also rife with misinformation and fake news.
Dr Rafidah says these myths can jeopardise the management of CKD patients.
As a result of misinformation, some CKD patients develop a distrust in healthcare professionals and only come back for medical care when they are at the brink of death.
“Many refuse treatment once we mention dialysis or transplant. When they come to us too late, the risk of death and developing complications are really high.”
THE RISK OF REFUSING TREATMENT
Refusing, delaying and discontinuing dialysis have huge implications.
Patients also frequently seek nonmedical opinions and these give them false hopes, says Dr Rafidah. They end up developing more complications and accelerate the progression of their disease.
They may even end up having to commence dialysis much earlier, she adds.
Stopping misinformation about CKD,
whether on social media or other channels, is an ongoing battle for healthcare professionals.
Dr Rafidah says it will remain a constant challenge for many years to come.
Battling it requires many different strategies, with the MyBuahPinggang website being one of them.
The website provides facts and serves as a one-stop-centre for information on kidney diseases.
“We also provide a platform for questions and queries where we address and direct proper management strategies to patients.”