The relationship between hopelessness level and the use of complementary medicine methods in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

SUMMARY AIM: The objective of this study was determined use of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods, affected or not the level of hopelessness, in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This study was designed, between Nisan 2011 – between June 2011, in two private dialysis center. The population of this study composed of all hemodialysis patients in two private dialysis center, 179 patients who volunteered to participate in the study of simple randomly selected patients, conscious. The data were collected using a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and disease- related characteristics and Beck Hopelessness Scale. The data were evaluated using percentage, average, t test, chi-square and pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 53.97+ 13.96 years and 57.5 % men and most of this patients were married (78.8%) and retired (39.7 %). 35.8 % of the hemodialysis patients use CAM methods. Hemodialysis patients were used herbal treatments (85.5 %), nonherbal supplements and diet supplement (10 %), and mind body and manipulative interventions (46.9%). There was no relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and CAM of using hemodialysis patients (p>0.05), except for the level of education (p0.05). CONCLUSION: 35.8 % of the hemodialysis patients use CAM methods, the use of CAM not affected by hopelessness. Key Words: Complementary and alternative medicine, hemodialysis patients, hopelessness.