Self-Care Ability in Hemodialysis Patients

Introduction: considering the numerous physical and psychological problems in hemodialysis patients, they are dependent on others in some daily activities and in fact, they do not have full selfcare 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 demographic characteristics. methods: 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 questionnaire including demographic characteristics and self-care ability items. results: 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. conclusion: 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.