article · Tanzania journal of health research/Tanzania Journal of Health Research
Chronic kidney disease presents severe health burdens that require demanding treatment regimens and rigorous personal care routines. A cross-sectional investigation evaluated self-care knowledge, attitudes, and obstacles among 240 patients receiving hemodialysis at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. The findings show that fewer than half of the surveyed individuals possessed adequate knowledge of self-care management, although nearly seventy percent held positive attitudes toward managing their condition. Participants lacking formal education faced significantly higher risks of deficient self-care understanding. Marital status also influenced patient perspectives, with unmarried participants showing more favourable outlooks toward self-care than divorced peers. Across the cohort, adhering to strict medication schedules and sustaining required lifestyle modifications emerged as the most prominent barriers to effective everyday self-care.
Managing chronic kidney disease requires patients to follow complex treatment regimens away from the clinic. Understanding where patients struggle, particularly regarding education levels and medication schedules, enables healthcare providers to design more targeted support. This helps reduce complications, improves patient wellbeing, and directs limited clinical resources more effectively in resource-constrained environments.
The findings could guide developers of patient education programmes, adherence-monitoring digital tools, or tailored counselling services targeted at dialysis clinics in low-resource settings. However, the abstract describes early-stage observational research and does not evaluate a specific product or intervention, meaning any direct commercial application remains distant.
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Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health concern, affecting approximately 10% of the population. Patients undergoing hemodialysis face significant challenges related to disease progression and treatment demands, necessitating both self-care and clinical support. However, limited data exist on CKD patients' knowledge, attitudes, and self-care barriers, particularly in low-resource settings like Tanzania. This study assessed these factors among hemodialysis patients at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 hemodialysis patients at MNH using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariate analysis identified associations between variables, followed by multivariable logistic regression to determine independent predictors of self-care management. Results The mean (±SD) age of participants was 48.6 (±11.51) years. Overall, 47.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge, while 69.6% exhibited positive attitudes toward self-care. Participants without formal education were significantly less likely to have adequate self-care knowledge (AOR 0.366, 95% CI 0.148-0.821, p=0.038). Single participants were more likely to have a positive attitude compared to divorced individuals (AOR 4.953, 95% CI 0.741-33.124, p=0.044). Strict medication schedules and lifestyle modifications were the main barriers to self-care. Conclusion Significant knowledge gaps exist among hemodialysis patients, influenced by education level and prior health education. Tailored interventions and provider support are crucial for overcoming barriers and improving self-care in resource-limited settings.
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DOI: 10.4314/thrb.v26i6.22
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