Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate self-care knowledge and behaviors of the hemodialysis patients regarding their arteriovenous fistula. Material and Method: This cross-sectionally multicenter study was carried on 103 patients who underwent hemodialysis procedure. For data collection, forms that were prepared based on literature were used. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews. To evaluation of patient’s knowledge and behaviors about arteriovenous fistula 50% classification systems were used. Results: It was determined that 63.4% of the patients did not have knowledge about performing mild exercises for the development of the fistula, and 52.4% of them had no knowledge about assessment of the fistula and contacting the dialysis center when blood pressure dropped. The most mentioned practices about arteriovenous fistula were not to draw blood - injection (97.1%), not wear tight clothes (94.2%), and to not measure blood pressure (89.3%) on the arm with fistula, respectively. Significant differences were found between the patients' gender, marital status, educational status, presence of chronic disease, place of residence and education about fistula, and AV fistula self-care information. Moreover, a significant difference was found between the patients' marital status, education about fistula and fistula change, and AV fistula self-care behaviors (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the patient's AV fistula self-care behaviors were sufficient. It was determined that the patients had knowledge deficits about doing mild sports to develop the fistula and how to evaluate the fistula when the blood pressure drops.

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