Burden, Depression, and Awareness of Information on Safety Behavior in Korean Hemodialysis Patients during the...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Patient Care

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted vulnerable patient populations, including those undergoing hemodialysis.
• Maintaining safety behaviors is crucial for hemodialysis patients to prevent infectious disease transmission and ensure continuity of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationships between burden, depression, awareness of information (AIC), and safety behaviors (adherent and dysfunctional) in Korean hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 149 hemodialysis patients in Korea from January to February 2021.
• A structured questionnaire assessed levels of burden, depression, AIC, adherent safety behavior (ASB), and dysfunctional safety behavior (DSB).

Main Results:

• Awareness of information (AIC) was a significant positive predictor of ASB (β = 0.265, p < 0.001).
• Specific burdens, including "not receiving hemodialysis on time" (β = 0.233, p = 0.008) and "social exclusion" (β = 0.186, p = 0.032), also positively influenced ASB.
• The burden of "social exclusion" (β = 0.258, p = 0.003) and AIC (β = 0.217, p = 0.004) were significant predictors of dysfunctional safety behavior (DSB).

Conclusions:

• Providing up-to-date, evidence-based information is vital for promoting self-care and adherent safety behaviors among hemodialysis patients.
• Interventions should address patient burdens, particularly social exclusion, to mitigate dysfunctional safety behaviors during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.