Abstract:

Aim: The research was conducted as a descriptive and correlational study to examine the relationship of self-care agency to symptom management in patients with chronic renal failure and receiving hemodialysis treatment. Method: Research was conducted with patients (n:126) who received hemodialysis treatment in a private dialysis center in Ankara between March 31 and June 5, 2022. Data; sociodemographic characteristics form, Dialysis Patients Self-Care Agency Scale and Dialysis Symptom Index were collected. In the evaluation of the data; Percentage distributions, mean, t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used. The p<0.05 level was considered statistically significant in the study. Results: It was determined that the self-care agency of the patients within the scope of the study was at a moderate level. In addition, it was determined that the scores of the patients participating in the study from the dialysis symptom index were close to the middle level. A moderate negative correlation was found between the symptoms and diet, which is the sub-dimension of the Self-Care Agency Scale. It was determined that there was a positive, moderately significant relationship between the dialysis symptom index and the mental state sub-dimension. Conclusion: It was determined that there was a moderate relationship between the self-care agency of the patients participating in this study and symptom management. For this reason, it is thought that individuals who receive hemodialysis treatment, are over 65 years old and have other chronic diseases need more support.

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