Self-care ability in hemodialysis patients

Considering the numerous physical and psychological problems in hemo-dialysis 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 demo-graphic characteristics.

This was a descriptive study in 2009 done in Marag-heh, Bonab and Miandoab Hospitals. The study population included 115 hemodialysis patients who were eligible. Data were collected using a combined and modified ques-tionnaire 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 asso-ciation 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.