Determining the effect of arteriovenous fistula care training on the self-care behaviors of hemodialysis patients

Introduction: The aim was to determine the effect of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) care training given to hemodialysis (HD) patients on the self-care behaviors of patients. Methods: The randomized controlled experimental study was conducted in the HD unit. The study was carried out with a total of 66 patients. Patients in the intervention group were trained using the AVF Care Education Book for 4 weeks. The study data were collected using the scale for evaluating self-care behaviors related to AVF in HD patients (ASBHD-AVF). Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA were used in the SPSS 25.0 package program. Results: As a result of the research, it was determined that the average ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the trained intervention group increased from 54.52 +/- 7.41 to 73.77 +/- 3.05 (p <0.05). The mean ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the control group increased from 56.14 +/- 4.51 to 58.14 +/- 5.93 (p >0.05). When the difference between the two groups was examined, it was determined that the average ASBHD-AVF score of the patients in the intervention group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: AVF care education given to HD patients improves patients' self-care behaviors. Improved fistula self-care behaviors of patients will contribute to the healthy functioning of the AVF and the effective HD treatment of patients.