Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Hemodialysis Patients’ knowledge about Uremic Pruritus

Abstract

One of the most significant and effective procedure options that can help a patient with end-stage renal disease and maintain their quality of life is hemodialysis (HD). A lot of HD patients experience uremic pruritus (UP) due to elevated concentrations of toxic substances in the blood (urea, creatinine, and others). Patients’ education is an essential part of health care since it promotes an ongoing, interactive process aimed at enhancing the patient's lifestyle and preventing or reducing the consequences tied to UP.

Objective of the Study: Evaluate the influence of educational program on hemodialysis patients' knowledge about uremic pruritus.

Method: A quantitative quasi experimental-research design was used in this study.

Setting: The present study was done in hemodialysis center at Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital/ Thi-Qar governorate in Iraq republic from 29th of December, 2022 to 29th of May.

Sample: A non-probability (purposively) sample of (60) hemodialysis patients was divided into two groups (study and control) with equal size.

Tools: which consists of three parts (1) sociodemographic characteristics (2) clinical characteristics, and (3) questionnaire to assessment of hemodialysis patient knowledge regarding to uremic pruritus (items & domains about uremic pruritus).

Results: At the pretest, the average knowledge scores in the study and control groups were closely similar. However, at the posttest, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups because the average knowledge scores in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group.

Conclusion: This study concluded that carrying out educational sessions had a good impact on hemodialysis patients' knowledge of uremic pruritus (UP). According to the current results, the present study's hypothesis was accepted, according to which the patients who received uremic pruritus educational interventions had a good level of knowledge.

Recommendations: The study suggested generating an educational center for patients in hemodialysis units, equipped with sufficient educational materials, media, audiovisual aids, and booklets to teach all patients how to understand their medical conditions (uremic pruritus). When providing information to patients and family members, nurses have more options to facilitate the delivery of information to patients.