Mithal Yaseen Abed
Nursing Collage, University of Kerbela, Iraq
Dr. Fatma Makee
Professor, Adult Nursing, Nursing College, Karbala University, Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Hemodialysis patients are more susceptible to infections due to decreased immune responses. In dialysis patients, chronic hepatitis C leads to viral hepatitis. Patients on hemodialysis face many challenges that can reduce their overall health and quality of life. Methods: Patients on hemodialysis participated in the design of this comparative study. Each individual in each of the 100 samples (50 positive study groups and 50 negative groups) Patients participated in the research by completing a specific questionnaire between October 2023 and August 2024. Information was collected and evaluated using statistical criteria. People in the holy city of Karbala who frequently use hemodialysis facilities were the subjects of the research. Subjects participated in the study after being individually recruited, and questionnaires were developed. An opportunity randomly selected by the researcher using his or her own experiences and data from previous investigations. The first part of the questionnaire inquired about patients' demographics and social situations, while the second part asked about their quality of life according to WHO standards. SPSS version 26 was used for the purpose of analyzing and interpreting the data. Results: The mean total score of health-related quality of life among the study sample (viral hepatitis positive) was (61.08 ± 5.813). The mean total score of health-related quality of life among the study sample with viral hepatitis negative was 84.30 ± 10.436. There was a significant association between the differences in health-related quality of life for viral hepatitis positive and negative, with p values of 0.001 and 0.05, respectively. showed that (56.32) physical, (59.68) psychological, (30) social –relationship, (82.48) environmental, (61.08) overall health related quality of life in positive viral hepatitis while Negative Viral Hepatitis was (92.4) physical, (83.6) psychological, (33.92) social –relationship, (99.68) environmental, (84.3) overall health related quality of life. No significant association was observed between viral hepatitis and factors such as marital status, educational levels, occupation, and duration of dialysis treatment, except for age. Economic status showed a significant chi-square value of 11.50 with 4 degrees of freedom and a p-value of 0.021, while another chi-square value of 6.61 with 2 degrees of freedom had a p-value of 0.037. Conclusions: The study found that viral hepatitis significantly affects the quality of life of individuals undergoing dialysis. It suggested developing a comprehensive health education program aimed at enhancing patients’ knowledge and awareness regarding the prevention and transmission of viral hepatitis. This initiative can be effectively communicated through various channels, including media, leaflets, in hemodialysis centers.
Keywords: End-Stage Renal Disease, Hemodialysis, Viral Hepatitis, Health-Related Quality of Life.
