Structural Equation Modeling of Treatment Adherence Based on General Health and Demographic Characteristics in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

 A complete adherence to treatment is essential for patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. This health behavior is the product of various overlapping variables that may change over time.

 This study aimed to investigate treatment adherence based on general health and demographic characteristics among hemodialysis patients.

 This was a descriptive-correlation research conducted based on structural equation modeling. The population included all patients with chronic kidney disease in Tehran, Iran, of whom 200 patients undergoing hemodialysis admitted to 2 medical centers from September to March 2022 were selected by convenience sampling. The data were collected using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ). The data were analyzed using correlation analysis and path analysis in SPSS v. 19 and SmartPLS v. 3.

 The results showed the direct and significant effect of general health (P = 0.001) and age (P = 0.017) on treatment adherence. However, sex, marital status, level of education, and duration of dialysis treatment had no significant effect on treatment adherence.

 Considering the power of general health and age in predicting treatment adherence, these two variables can be included in training, clinical, and psychological interventions.