Evaluation of the Peritoneal Dialysis Program in a Hospital in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop recommendations to assist in improving the current peritoneal dialysis (PD) program in a Hospital in Chinandega, Nicaragua. This project will consist of a needs assessment, a review of aggregate quantitative patient data from hospital records, and a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) assessment for medical providers, laboratory technicians, patients and primary caregivers. The final report will be used to obtain funding for the implementation of the recommendations.

Official Title
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Evaluation of the Peritoneal Dialysis Program in a Hospital in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

Conditions
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Chronic Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants must be affiliated with the PD program that is under evaluation Exclusion Criteria: Being physically unable to participate in an interview of approximately one hour Being younger than 18 years of age Refusal to participate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare providers<br> | |
| PD patients<br> | |
| Primary caregivers of the PD patients<br> | |
| Laboratory personnel<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Identification of needs of the PD program | This outcome will be measured by filling out a pre-designed checklist based on national and international guidelines, including equipment, material and staffing needs. | Hospital visits for the duration of 1 week | 
| Adherence to established protocols on administering PD treatment in the hospital | This outcome will be measured by filling out a validated checklist of steps that need to be performed by the healthcare provider while PD is administered in the Hospital | 3 days of observation sessions for the duration of 8 hours | 
| Levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards PD of healthcare providers, laboratory staff patients and primary caregivers | This outcome will be measured by administering a questionnaire to the participants of 4 respective groups (healthcare providers, laboratory staff, patients, primary caregivers). The questionnaire will contain sections on (1) demographic information/professional affiliation with the program, (2) knowledge of PD, (3) attitudes towards PD, (4) practices regarding PD, and (5) perceived needs of the program. The levels of knowledge will be classified in four categories: 1) very good, 2) good, 3) regular, 4) poor. Attitudes will be classified as either positive or negative. Practices will be classified as either good or bad. | Interviews of each group for the duration of 1 week | 
| Prevalence of peritonitis and causative agents | This outcome will be measured by identifying pathogens in patients' dialysate liquid and estimating the overall percentage of patients with peritonitis. | Sample collections according to PD patients' appointment times during one week and culturing of samples for 72 hours |