Physiological and Psychosocial Stressors among Patients on Hemodialysis

Kamal Hussein, Shimaa; Shehata Mohamed, Hanan; Mohamed El- Metwally, Rasha

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.379515

Physiological and Psychosocial Stressors among Patients on Hemodialysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ B.Sc. Nursing Science, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University

² Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

³ Assist. Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

10.21608/ejhc.2024.379515

Abstract

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) which is the fifth stage of chronic kidney disease, is a chronic and life threatening illness and a worldwide public health problem. It implies that the kidneys are permanently damaged and the person can no longer survive independently without renal replacement therapy including kidney transplantation and dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). Hemodialysis is the most common method - used to remove wastes, fluids and toxic substances from the body using artificial kidney (filter). Aim: the study aimed to assess physiological, psychological and social stressors among patients on hemodialysis. Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. Setting: This study was carried out at the kidney dialysis unit of Damanhour National Medical Institute -affiliated to the General Organization for teaching hospitals and Institutes. Study subjects: A systematic random sample of 70 adult patients from both genders of patients on hemodialysis. Data tools: I) Patient's interviewing questionnaire. II) Hemodialysis Stressor Scale (HSS) done by Baldree et al., 1982 and modified by Issa, 2015. Results: More than two third of the studied patients had satisfactory level of knowledge about chronic renal failure and hemodialysis. The severity of stressors all of high level stress. The social stressors were the highest stressors facing hemodialysis patients followed by psychological stressors then physiological stressors. There were highly statistically significant relations between social stressors and gender and between psychological stressors and marital status. There was highly statistically significant positive correlation between the total level of knowledge and educational level. Conclusion: patients on hemodialysis face various types of stressors. Social stressors had the highest severity followed by psychological stressors then physiological stressors. Recommendations: Self-management educational program should become an integrated part of the total management of hemodialysis patients focusing on the stressors patients facing. Also, counseling and support groups including financial and economic support are important.

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