The impact of demographics, social support and health beliefs on adherence to hemodialysis treatment regimen

Abstract

This mixed methods cross-sectional study examined the impact of demographics, social support and health beliefs on adherence to hemodialysis treatment regimen and the lived experiences of hemodialysis patients. The theories framing the study are the Health Belief Model (Janz and Becker, 1984) and contextual social constructionist theory (Franklin, 1995).;The sample was 145 hemodialysis patients in two urban centers in the Bronx and Brooklyn and one suburban center in Suffolk County. The quantitative data were analyzed using chi square and hierarchical logistic regression. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.;Significant findings show that older hemodialysis patients (65 and older) compared to younger patients are more than three times more likely to be adherent overall. Overall adherence was significantly related to moderate levels of self-efficacy and treatment time adherence was significantly related to moderate to high levels of self-efficacy and perception of a high degree of benefits. The qualitative results complemented the quantitative results in that most patients accept the benefits of dialysis as they struggle with the challenges.