Effects of a Hemodialysis Diet Education Program on Hemodialysis Patients

The burden of chronic disease on health care services worldwide is growing and the increased development of educational interventions which help patients to better manage their conditions is evident internationally. It has been recognized that poor adherence to treatments and guidelines can be a serious risk to the health and wellbeing of patients. Adherence to fluid restrictions, dietary and medication guidelines as well as attendance at prescribed hemodialysis sessions are essential for adequate management of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a repeated hemodialysis diet education program on the diet of hemodialysis patients. This eight-week quasi-experimental design study involved adult patients who were undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment for at least three months at the Nephrology Unit of Permata Bekasi Hospital. Adolescent participants were registered in each group, so that a total of 20 participants were registered. The experimental group received diet education four times. Data were analyzed by t-test. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in dietary knowledge at the time of assessment, and there was also a difference in the mean intradialysis weight gain in the intervention and control groups. Repeated health education had an effect on the fluid diet of hemodialysis patients with a p-value < 0.05. Due to the resulting improvement in dietary knowledge and self-care adherence, the repeated education program implemented in this study could be used to prevent complications in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Keywords: hemodialysis, diet, knowledge, complianc