Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of arteriovenous fistula knowledge and self-care behavior of hemodialysis patients on arteriovenous fistula complications.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between July 01 and September 01, 2019, with 92 patients who came to a university hospital for dialysis and who were eligible according to the inclusion criteria. A personal information form and self-care behaviors evaluation scale for arteriovenous fistula in patients on hemodialysis were used to collect data.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.2±13.7 years. It was found that 59.8% of the participants had had at least one complication concerning arteriovenous fistula. The most frequent complications were found to be thrombosis (43.5%), hematoma and aneurism (25%), stenosis (23.9%), and infection (17.4%). A significant difference was found between allowing a change in needle entry point and the development of aneurism and hematoma (P < .05). A significant difference was also found between hematoma development and application of pressure to the needle exit point (P < .05). The total mean score of the self-care behaviors evaluation scale for arteriovenous fistula was 68.1±8.4. A significant difference was found between total scale scores according to whether patients had experienced aneurism and infection complications (P < .05).
Conclusion: The participants’ knowledge of fistula and self-care behavior scores were found to be at a good level. The high rate of fistula complications may derive from the patients not allowing a change in the needle entry point and not applying the correct pressure to the needle exit point. As the scale scores of patients with aneurysm and infection complications were lower, it can be considered that fistula self-care behavior plays a part in the development of complications. Accordingly, it is recommended that patients should be supported with education programs about fistula complications.
Cite this article as: Köse E, Vural Doğru B, Gün M. The Effects of Arteriovenous Fistula Knowledge and Self-Care Behaviors of Hemodialysis Patients on Arteriovenous Fistula Complications. Arch Health Sci Res. 2021;8(2):110-116.