The Relationship Between Observing Religious Beliefs and Suffering in Hemodialysis Patients

Chronic renal failure is an advanced and irreversible renal dysfunction. It is also one of the common health problems in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between observing religious beliefs and suffering in hemodialysis patients. This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 130 hemodialysis patients attending the hospitals of Gonbad Kavous city, Iran. Data collection tools included the temple observing religious beliefs questionnaire and Scholz’s experience and perception of suffering questionnaire. The data after collected were entered into SPSS software version 16 to be analyzed using descriptive statistics. This study showed high level of belief in religious practices with the mean and standard deviation of 72.16 ± 11.36 and the level of suffering with 37.28 ± 6.94. Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a significant difference between observing religious beliefs and suffering (r = − 0.18, P = 0.03), so that with the increase in belief in religious practice, the level of patients’ suffering decreased. Nurses are required to take the necessary interventions to improve the spiritual and religious dimension of patients.