Relationships between Characteristics, Beliefs, and Self-care in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

This study is intended to clarify relationships of characteristics, beliefs, and self-care in patients receiving dialysis. To determine the beliefs and self-care of 228 patients, they were assessed using a questionnaire, the Japanese Health Locus of Control (JHLC) scale, and the Japanese Irrational Belief Test (JIBT) , and an original self-care scale, which has two subscales, 'Life' and 'Diet'. Associations among characteristics, beliefs, and self-care were examined using Pearson's correlation and Student's t-test. Consequently, regarding the self-care score, the item related to dosing was the highest ; the item related to appropriate exercise was the lowest. Significant correlation (p<0.05) was also found : 'Life' of self-care and 'Family', 'Chance', and 'Professional' of JHLC, which are equivalent for external HLC were correlated. However, 'Diet' of self-care was unrelated to JHLC and JIBT. Heretofore, the beliefs of dialysis patients and relationships with self-care have tended to be told anecdotally. Results of this quantitative study suggest that, in cases where patients cannot do 'Life' of self-care well, contact with families and their encouragement by professionals is considered valuable.