Fluid nonadherence among hemodialysis patients ranges between 41% and 93%. Factors associated with fluid nonadherence are not well understood. Moreover, few interventions have been tested to improve fluid adherence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the perception of benefits, barriers, seriousness, susceptibility, self-efficacy, and thirst intensity were different in hemodialysis patients across stages of fluid adherence.
A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. The sample consisted of 147 hemodialysis patients recruited from 3 outpatient dialysis clinics (1 urban, 1 suburban, and 1 rural). The sample had a mean age of 54 years, 57% were men, 57% were African American, and 68% were unmarried. Each participant was interviewed by a research assistant who recorded their verbal response. Stage of fluid adherence was based on self-reported intent and actual interdialytic weight gain. Analysis of variance was used to examine the differences in all perceptual variables with stage of fluid adherence.
Study findings indicate that people who had no intent to limit fluid intake perceived fewer barriers and fewer benefits, perceived the consequences of nonadherence as less serious, and perceived they were less susceptible to the complications of nonadherence than those persons who were actively working toward behavior change (p < .01). In addition, those actively working toward adherence experienced more intense thirst than individuals who were currently adherent (p < .01). There were no significant differences in self-efficacy by stage of fluid adherence.
These findings suggest that intent for behavior change may be an important variable when designing an intervention. Additional studies will be needed to validate or refute these findings.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003