Abstract:

Introduction: Hemodialysis is an alternative treatment in chronic renal failure and patients with such conditions suffer poor compliance and stress due to long term treatment, unfamiliar utilities and their dependence that can affect their physical and psychosocial condition.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine and compare the level of patient anxiety pre and post hemodialysis.    

Methods: This research is a descriptive study done on fifty hemodialysis patients in Shahid Rahnemoon of Yazd in 2002.  The data gathering tool consisted of a two-part questionnaire consisted of demographic data and Spilburger anxiety test.

Results: The findings indicated that the mean score of stress pre hemodialysis was 44.48± 16.61 which was in moderate level and mean score in post dialysis was 39±11.1. The statistical tests of independent t and one-way analysis variance indicated no significant difference between variables and pre and post stress but there was a significant difference between pre and post stress mean score.

Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, anxiety of pre hemodialysis was more than post hemodialysis, therefore it is suggested to use alternative intervention such as exercise, consultation, music therapy, stress management before hemodialysis to decrease anxiety level and increase the quality of life and satisfaction.

Keywords: anxiety, hemodialysis, dialysis patient