AN ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN LIBYAN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS
Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem*, Samarkand M. Fizga, Ahmed M. Tawati and Fathi M. Sherif
ABSTRACT
Background: In patients with end-stage renal disease, the need for renal replacement therapy to prolong life represents the final stage of living. Quality of life is one of the concepts that was accepted as a criterion for evaluating the outcome of medical efforts and the situation of patients with mental and somatic disorders. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the quality of life of Libyan patients undergoing hemodialysis. Method: A cross sectional questionnaire-based survey. Results: 266 surveys were distributed, of which 227 were returned, giving a response rate of 85.3%. More than half of HD patients included in the study were females (119; 52.4%), married (124; 54.6%), and belonged to the age group of 31 to 50 years (106; 46.7%). Duration of dialysis has a clear impact on patients overall health included in the study. 50% of the patients undergoing dialysis for more than 10 years reported their health was worse than last year compared to 21.8% of patient undergoing dialysis for less than 5 years. When patients were asked about the effect of haemodialysis and kidney problems on their sexual life, the majority of patients (84.4%) reported “Yes”. Furthermore, more than half (57.1%) of respondents reported that their health prevented them from working continuously. Conclusion: Libyan Kidney Diseases Centers should put the dialysis patients under the spot and try to improve their quality of life by understanding their needs and educating them about the disease.
Keywords: Quality of Life; End-stage renal disease; Dialysis; Libya; Kidney diseases centers.
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