Effect of self-instructional module on knowledge regarding care of arteriovenous fistula among hemodialysis patients in selected hospitals, Guwahati, Assam

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem. Arteriovenous fistulas (AV fistulas) are considered the gold standard for hemodialysis vascular access based on their superior patency, low complication rates, improved adequacy, lower cost to the healthcare system, and decreased risk of patient mortality. A failing AV fistula places the patient at risk for inadequate dialysis, which can lead to numerous complications and increased morbidity and mortality. Patient education support patients to live the best possible quality of life. It instills patient self-confidence to help them carry out behavior necessary to reach the desired goal. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of self-instructional module by comparing the pretest and posttest knowledge scores regarding care of AV fistula among hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a quantitative approach, preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design was adopted for the study. In this study, 64 hemodialysis patients with AV fistula were selected by using nonprobability convenient sampling technique. The tools used for the study were demographic variables, self-structured knowledge questionnaire and self-instructional module. RESULTS: The study revealed that the mean posttest knowledge score (12) was significantly higher than the mean pretest knowledge score (7.32) as evidenced by t = 5.65 (P = 0.05) and P = 0.0001, which shows that self-instructional module was effective on care of AV fistula. It also revealed that there was significant association between pretest knowledge score and selected demographic variables of educational status and previous exposure to information. CONCLUSION: A similar study can be taken on large scale for better generalization. On the basis of the findings, the researcher concluded that self-instructional module on care of AV fistula was effective among hemodialysis patients.