Physiological and psychosocial stressors among Palestinian hemodialysis patients:A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the stressors among hemodialysis (HD) patients and finding out whether there is any relation between these stressors and patients' characteristics in the North of the West Bank. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive–analytical study was carried out. Data collection took place at three governmental hospitals and one private hospital where 120 HD patients responded to the HD stress scale. Results: Hemodialysis patients were mildly to moderately stressed, the greatest perceived sources of stress appeared to be “physiological stressors” (mean = 2.655), but the item with the highest percentage was 'limitation on time and place for vacation' (84.2%) which belong to psychosocial stress subscale, and the item stress with the least percentage was “dependency on nurses and technicians”(45%). Conclusions: There was significant difference between the psychosocial stressors and duration of treatment. The study concluded that HD patients are in need for continuous support, and it is recommended different contributions to improve the quality of their life.

Keywords

• demographics
• hemodialysis
• physiological
• psychosocial
• stressors