ANXIETY AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS
Ansriana Mangita, Vasiliki Tsoulou, Athanasia Tsami
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Publication year:
2024
Authors:
- Mangita Ansriana, MSc, PhD, Executive Director of Nursing, Mutual Health Fund of National Bank of Greece Personnel
- Tsoulou Vasiliki, RN, Ms(c) , General Hospital Asklipieio Voulas, Athens, Greece
- Tsami Athanasia, Post-graduate program, Neurological Disorders - Evidence Based Practice Department of Nursing,TEI of Athens
Keywords index:
Pages: 351-358
Abstract:
Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) imposes a significant physical, psychological, social, and economic burden not only on patients but also on their caregivers, who are most commonly family members or close relatives. Caregivers play a central role in providing ongoing physical, emotional, and social support throughout the treatment process, while their responsibilities may contribute to the development of anxiety. The purpose of this study was to explore anxiety among caregivers of patients undergoing HD.
Material and Methods: The present study included 100 caregivers of HD patients attending a private dialysis center in Attica. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) along with caregivers’ characteristics. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 100 participants, 62% were female and 52% were aged over 60 years. The mean anxiety score was 57.8±11.5 on the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (range 20–80), indicating moderate levels of anxiety. Anxiety was significantly associated with caregivers’ self-reports, including fatigue (p=0.050), restrictive lifestyle (p=0.044), level of information regarding HD (p=0.008), perceived caregiving as a burden (p=0.027), difficulties in coordinating healthcare needs (p=0.025), insomnia (p=0.003), uncertainty about future (p=0.013), and family conflicts (p=0.056).
Conclusions: Anxiety among caregivers of HD patients was significantly associated with their caregiving-related perceptions. Targeted interventions addressing their perceptions may help reduce anxiety and improve caregivers’ overall well-being.
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