Nephrology unit

The study was conducted to assess the adherence to haemodialysis and associated factors among end stage renal disease patients in Nephrology unit in a tertiary facility in Benin. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the knowledge of the importance of haemodialysis among ESRD patients, to ascertain the level of adherence to haemodialysis and associated factors by ESRD patients. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The sample of the study consisted of the two hundred patients attending a nephrology unit in tertiary hospital in Benin. The researcher used a standardized instrument known as the End stage renal disease adherence questiinaire (ESRD-AQ) by Kim et al 2010, was administered to the patients and all (200) questionnaires were retrieved. Demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics – frequency and percentage, chi-square were used to test for relationship between level of adherence to haemodialysis and level of knowledge, independent samples t-test was used to test the significant difference been level of adherence and gender, multiple logistic regression was used to predict he association between the level of adherence and socio-demographic variables. Majority of the respondents have low knowledge on the importance of haemodialysis. The study showed that most of the respondents 73.5% have low level of adherence to haemodialsys, 20% have moderate level of adherence while 6% of the respondents have high level of adherence to haemodialysis. Factors associated with adherence to haemodialysis is lack of transportation, financial constraint,forgetfulness etc. There is an association (p<0.05) between the level of adherence and level of knowledge. There is no significant difference (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and gender. There is an association (p<0.5) between the level of adherence and socio-demographic characteristics. The study recommended that there is the need for structured teaching programme that will improve the knowledge of patients undergoing hemodialysis regarding dietary management and skin care in renal failure thereby preventing life threatening complication and prolonging their life.