Objective:

To analyze the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the need for hemodialysis in selected provinces of Kazakhstan from 2017 to 2019, and to investigate health literacy and self-management among CKD patients.

Key Findings:

• Point prevalence of CKD was highest in 2017, ranging from 137.0 PMP in North Kazakhstan to 388.8 PMP in Turkestan.
• Point prevalence of hemodialysis exceeded that of CKD, ranging from 359.3 PMP in East Kazakhstan (2017) to 629.3 PMP in Kostanay (2018).
• There was an increase in hemodialysis prevalence over three years in all provinces except Kostanay.
• CKD patients exhibited suboptimal disease knowledge and inadequate self-management skills, with gender-specific differences.

Interpretation:

The study highlights a significant prevalence of CKD and hemodialysis in Kazakhstan, alongside a concerning lack of health literacy and self-management among patients, which may impact healthcare policy and resource allocation.

Limitations:

• The data derived from the RCHD database may underrepresent true population-based prevalence, particularly for early-stage or asymptomatic CKD, potentially skewing the understanding of CKD's impact.
• The study focused on a limited number of provinces, which may not reflect the national situation, necessitating broader research.

Conclusion:

Further research is necessary to address the knowledge gap regarding CKD determinants in Kazakhstan, particularly focusing on patient education and healthcare access.