Self-Care Practices for Arteriovenous Fistula among People Receiving Hemodialysis at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya.

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.