SOCIAL SUPPORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG RENAL PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS IN ILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, KWARA STATE

Abstract

Hemodialysis is one of the treatment options for treating chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD has now grown to an alarming rate with over 14000 Nigerians affected. This study assessed the social support and quality of life among renal patients undergoing hemodialysis in Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study. The population consisted of 150 patients attending Renal Units at the Ilorin University Teaching Hospital between April and May 2023. Only patients who have had at least one session of hemodialysis were included. The participants were selected using convenient sampling technique. Using Slovin’s (1977) formula to calculate sample size, 109 patients were conveniently selected, although only 101 were properly filled. While Section A of the standardized questionnaire indicated patients’ demographic information, the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) was utilized for Section B and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for Section C. The validity of the instrument was established through face and content validity. The findings revealed that all the respondents were well supported, and, at a mean score value of 3.476, majority had high quality of life. Nevertheless, despite that the patients were undergoing hemodialysis and were also experiencing elevated levels of social support and quality of life, there seems to be a lack of reciprocity in their connection. It was recommended that the government should alleviate the financial strain on patients and their families by implementing regulations that guarantee inexpensive and easily accessible hemodialysis services nationwide.