A Cross-sectional Study to Assess the Self-care Behavior for Arteriovenous Fistula and Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mangaluru

A BSTRACT Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the self-care behavior for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and quality of life (QOL) among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a selected tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, from June 2020 to December 2023. A total of 70 subjects undergoing hemodialysis through AVF were recruited using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. A tool was developed and used to assess the self-care behavior for AVF, while the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) instrument was used to assess QOL. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The association between variables was analyzed by the Chi-square test. Results: The findings indicated that the majority of participants (81.4%) had been undergoing hemodialysis for 1–3 years, with over half (57.1%) receiving treatment three times per week. A high proportion (92.9%) demonstrated adequate self-care behavior related to arteriovenous fistula management. The mean KDQOL score was 65.30 ± 8.57, with a median of 64, suggesting an overall average QOL among the study population. Conclusion: Most hemodialysis patients maintain adequate self-care behaviors and experience an average level of QOL. However, nurses should provide specific guidance, education, psychosocial support, and individualized care strategies to enhance outcomes and QOL for this population.