Physical and psychosocial burden experienced by women on maintenance hemodialysis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Women's Health
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence is rising globally, increasing the need for kidney failure treatments like hemodialysis (HD).
• Hemodialysis improves patient health but presents substantial physical and psychological burdens.
• Women undergoing HD experience intensified symptoms, necessitating focused research on their unique health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted health problems experienced by women undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.
• To provide empirical evidence on the specific health concerns affecting female HD patients.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative design was employed.
• In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 female HD patients in Kerala, India.
• Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's six-step approach, was used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• Six major themes emerged: physical suffering, mental agony, restricted life, sexual inactivity, social life breakdown, and financial hardship.
• Twenty subthemes further detailed the complex health issues faced by these women.
• Findings indicate significant impacts across physical, psychological, social, and financial domains.

Conclusions:

• Women on maintenance HD encounter profound health-related issues affecting all life dimensions.
• Patients are characterized as physically vulnerable, psychologically distressed, and socially isolated.
• The study underscores the critical need for comprehensive evaluations and sustained supportive, educational care for female HD patients.