Abstract:
Background: Kidney failure is the end of the continuum of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The
increasing prevalence of CKD has been a major public health problem. Hemodialysis (HD) is the
most common treatment modality to sustain the lives of people with CKD. People receiving HD
need to follow a complex treatment plan. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) care is one of the main
aspects of treatment regimens. Improving the level of AVF self-care behavior by people receiving
HD is an effective way to reduce the occurrence of complications and mortality.
Objective: To assess self-care practices for arteriovenous fistula among people receiving
hemodialysis at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in hemodialysis unit at Teaching
Hospital Karapitiya involving 167 people on HD. Data were obtained through an interviewer administered questionnaire which included socio-demographic data, clinical information, and self practices of AVF care about the patients. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0, and
significance was kept at p<0.05.
Results: Majority of the patients (25.1%) were in the age category of 50-59 years and were males.
More than 60% of patients had moderate level self-care practices and 37.7% of them had high
level self-care practices on AVF care. Self-care practices significantly differed according to
associated factors like socio-demographic (i.e., marital status, use of cigarettes and alcohol) and
clinical information (i.e., availability of information on AVF care) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study findings gave insight about self-care practices for arteriovenous fistula
care among people receiving hemodialysis at teaching hospital Karaptiya. The majority of the
patients had moderate level of self-care practices on AVF care. A continuous program of health
education should be encouraged, and periodic evaluation of the patient’s practices will aid in
developing future educational strategies towards achievement of necessary care.
