Structural barriers in care nutrition for people with chronic kidney disease in Mexico

Abstract

This study describes the structural barriers that the health personnel identifies to provide nutritional care to people with chronic kidney disease. A qualitative study was carried out in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. We interviewed 21 health professionals (nutritionists, nurses and nephrologists) who work in hemodialysis units. Critical discourse analysis was performed. The study participants point out various structural barriers that hinder the inclusion of diet therapy in the treatment of CKD: the lack of universal health coverage in Mexico, which means that not all people with CKD have access to nutritional treatment; inadequate infrastructure in hemodialysis units, where nutritionists lack a physical space to provide appointment or advice; absence of regulations and protocols for nutritional care; lack of human resources in nutrition, specialized in CKD. In conclusion, it is highlighted that nutritional care for kidney patients in Mexico is incipient and little systematized. It is necessary to institute universal care, as well as modify the national regulations to include specialized nutrition personnel to interdisciplinary treatment for the benefit of those who suffer from the disease.