Key Takeaways
- Nearly one in four adults from Odisha's tribal communities suffers from impaired kidney function
- The prevalence of impaired kidney function rises sharply with age
- Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet diversity, and poverty are key modifiable risk factors
- Early detection, targeted screening, and integration of kidney disease prevention with existing non-communicable disease programmes are crucial
- The ICMR-NIHR plans to deploy a point-of-care diagnostic device for door-to-door screening in tribal areas
Who is affected by impaired kidney function in Odisha
Nearly one in four adults from Odishaโs tribal communities suffers from impaired kidney function, according to a study by ICMR-National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Bhubaneswar.
The study analysed health data of 19,703 adults from 53 tribal communities across 14 tribal-dominated districts of Odisha, finding that 24.8% of participants had impaired kidney function.
What the study reveals about kidney health in Odisha
Researchers found that the prevalence of impaired kidney function rose sharply with age, from 5.6% among people aged 18-30 years to 79.4% among those above 70 years.
Higher rates were also observed among men, tobacco users, alcohol consumers, people with little or no formal education, and those suffering from hypertension or diabetes.
By the numbers
- 24.8% of participants had impaired kidney function
- 16.6% had mild impairment
- 6.4% had moderate impairment
- 1.5% had severe impairment
- 0.3% had kidney failure
What the researchers say about the findings
Sanghamitra Pati, director of ICMR-National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), stressed the need for early detection, targeted screening and integration of kidney disease prevention with existing non-communicable disease programmes in tribal districts.
Researchers identified tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet diversity and poverty as key modifiable risk factors and called for stronger community-level interventions in districts facing a dual burden of kidney disease and other chronic illnesses.
What the study means for tribal health in Odisha
The study is among the largest assessments of kidney health among indigenous populations in India and underscores the need for focused public health interventions in Odishaโs tribal regions.
Calling for a shift from symptom-based treatment to preventive care, Pati said periodic screening of tribal populations for kidney disease is critical.
How the ICMR plans to address the issue
ICMR-NIHR has developed a point-of-care diagnostic device for urea and creatinine testing, which is currently undergoing validation.
Once cleared, the device could be deployed for door-to-door screening through ASHA workers, enabling early detection in remote tribal pockets.
Implications for readers in India
The study highlights the importance of addressing kidney health in tribal communities, not just in Odisha but across India.
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Readers can take steps to reduce their risk of kidney disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption.
What to watch next
The validation of the point-of-care diagnostic device and its potential deployment in tribal areas will be crucial in addressing the kidney health crisis in Odisha.
Additionally, the Indian government's response to the study's findings and the implementation of public health interventions in tribal regions will be important to monitor.
Expert perspective on kidney disease prevention
Experts emphasize that prevention is key to addressing the kidney disease burden in tribal communities, and that a multi-faceted approach is needed to address the social and economic determinants of health.
This includes improving access to healthcare, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.
Timeline of key events
The study was published in the October 2026 issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research, and the data was collected during the 2022-23 Odisha Tribal Family Health Survey.
The ICMR-NIHR plans to continue working on the development and deployment of the point-of-care diagnostic device, with the goal of improving kidney health outcomes in tribal communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prevalence of impaired kidney function in Odisha's tribal communities?
According to the study, 24.8% of participants had impaired kidney function.
What are the key modifiable risk factors for kidney disease in tribal communities?
Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet diversity, and poverty are key modifiable risk factors.
What is the ICMR-NIHR's plan to address the kidney health crisis in Odisha?
The ICMR-NIHR plans to deploy a point-of-care diagnostic device for door-to-door screening in tribal areas, and to integrate kidney disease prevention with existing non-communicable disease programmes.
