Self-Care Ability in Hemodialysis Patients

Considering the numerous physical and psychological problems in hemodialysis patients, they are dependent on others in some daily activities and in fact, they do not have full self-care ability. A few studies have ever been done, particularly in Iran, on self-care ability of hemodialysis patients. The present study aimed to determine self-care ability of these patients in addition to evaluate its association with some demographic characteristics. This was a descriptive study in 2009 done in Maragheh, Bonab and Miandoab Hospitals. The study population included 115 hemodialysis patients who were eligible. Data were collected using a combined and modified questionnaire including demographic characteristics and self-care ability items. Self-care ability was desirable in 78.3 percent of the patients. The highest desirable self-care ability in the study participants was related to vascular access (73%) and the highest undesirable self-care ability was related to follow the diet. There was a significant association between self-care ability and some demographic characteristics including age, gender, marital status and employment status. Hemodialysis patients did not have full self-care ability. It is necessary to enhance their knowledge about diet, complications of hemodialysis and preventive methods through accurate and permanent education so that they can increase their self-care ability.