Determining the effect of arteriovenous fistula care training on the self‐care behaviors of hemodialysis patients

Introduction The aim was to determine the effect of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) care training given to hemodialysis (HD) patients on the self‐care behaviors of patients. Methods The randomized controlled experimental study was conducted in the HD unit. The study was carried out with a total of 66 patients. Patients in the intervention group were trained using the AVF Care Education Book for 4 weeks. The study data were collected using the scale for evaluating self‐care behaviors related to AVF in HD patients (ASBHD‐AVF). Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, independent t‐tests, and ANOVA were used in the SPSS 25.0 package program. Results As a result of the research, it was determined that the average ASBHD‐AVF score of the patients in the trained intervention group increased from 54.52 ± 7.41 to 73.77 ± 3.05 ( p <0.05). The mean ASBHD‐AVF score of the patients in the control group increased from 56.14 ± 4.51 to 58.14 ± 5.93 ( p >0.05). When the difference between the two groups was examined, it was determined that the average ASBHD‐AVF score of the patients in the intervention group was statistically significantly higher than the control group ( p <0.05). Conclusion AVF care education given to HD patients improves patients' self‐care behaviors. Improved fistula self‐care behaviors of patients will contribute to the healthy functioning of the AVF and the effective HD treatment of patients.