A Comparative Study of Self-Care Behaviours Related to Arteriovenous Fistula in Patients Undergoing Home and Clinical Haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND

Although substantial evidence addresses self-care behaviours related to arteriovenous fistula in patients undergoing clinical haemodialysis, research on individuals receiving home haemodialysis remains limited.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviours in patients receiving home haemodialysis and clinical haemodialysis, and to examine the factors associated with these behaviours.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional research.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample comprised 322 patients, including 131 undergoing home haemodialysis and 191 undergoing clinical haemodialysis, recruited from four dialysis centres.

METHODS

Data were collected through a Personal Information Form and the Self-Care Behaviours Assessment Scale for Arteriovenous Fistula in Haemodialysis Patients.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47.97 ± 14.44 years in the home haemodialysis group and 61.46 ± 11.04 years in the clinical haemodialysis group. Clinical haemodialysis patients demonstrated significantly higher total and subscale scores on the arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviour scale compared with home haemodialysis patients (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that, in the home haemodialysis group, duration of haemodialysis treatment and duration of arteriovenous fistula were significant predictors of self-care scores, whereas in the clinical haemodialysis group, the presence of fistula-related complications was the most influential factor (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing clinical haemodialysis demonstrated higher levels of arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviours compared with those undergoing home haemodialysis. These findings underscore the importance of identifying the educational needs of home haemodialysis patients and implementing individualised, sustainable educational interventions to enhance their self-care practices.