Compliance to Haemodialysis Regimen among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: A Case Study of three Selected Hospitals in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study investigated the determinants of compliance and outcomes of haemodialysis regimens among patients with ESRD in Ilorin, Kwara State. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) also known as chronic kidney failure is the persistent decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for more than three months and it often progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with permanent loss of kidney function and increase mortality. The study investigated the determinants of compliance and outcomes of haemodialysis regimens among patients with ESRD in Ilorin, Kwara State. Total population and purposive sampling techniques were used to guide the recruitment of 80 participants. The research design was descriptive and cross-sectional research designs using quantitative strategy. Socio-demographic data and compliance level for haemodialysis regimen were determined using standardized questionnaire while biophysical measurements and laboratory investigations were used to determine treatment outcomes. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that 66.3% of the participants were 41 years and above, 45% had up to tertiary education while 76.3% of the participants relied on family members for treatment funding. Regarding treatment compliance, 58.8% and 47.5% had moderate compliance to fluid and diet respectively. Barriers to compliance were transportation logistics (50%), haemodialysis side effects with machine malfunction (52.2%), changes in lifestyle (50%) and cost (41.3%). Exorbitant nature of haemodialysis treatment militated against good outcomes. Thus, nephrology nurses and other healthcare professionals should intensify efforts to promote treatment adherence among patients with ESRD. Government and other policymakers could assist in subsidizing the cost of haemodialysis therapy to aid compliance and improve treatment outcomes. Thereby, promoting patients’ quality of life with reduction in mortality rate.