Lived Experience of Chronic Renal Disease Patients Who are on Hemo Dialysis: Phenomenological Study at Jimma University Medical Center, South West Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a common non-communicable disease that is becoming a worldwide health problem. Chronic kidney disease is a gradual and permanent loss of kidney function. Hemodialysis is one of the managements for chronic kidney disease. Even though dialysis replaces the healthy kidney, it has limitations and adds an additional burden to the individual's life, but here is a limited study in Ethiopia especially in Jimma that shows the lived experience of chronic kidney disease patients with hemodialysis. OBJECTIVE: To explore lived experiences of chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis in Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma city, south west Ethiopia, 2022 METHODOLOGY: A qualitative approach, phenomenological study design was carried out to explore the experience of purposively selected eight chronic kidney patients who are on hemodialysis. In-depth interviews were conducted using local language Amharic by using interview guide. The interviews were transcribed and translated in to English, and the data were analyzed using qualitative data management software (Atlas ti version 7.1.4). Thematic analysis was done. Results: This study explored five major theme (1) the perception and biological aspect of CKD (2) Challenges faced by chronic kidney disease patients (3) Emotional disturbance and consequence of CKD (4) diverse outlook towards the machine and care at dialysis unit and (5) coping mechanism with the level of their illness and the challenge they face. Conclusions: Financial constraint is the main challenge faced by chronic kidney disease patients which deteriorates their life, challenge to obtain the service and they are obliged to live with the support of others. Due to the nature (seriousness) of the disease the patients hindered from actively involved in social activities and previous work; as a result the patients think the disease is serious and trying to kill themselves. Ministry of Health and regional health bureau and other stakeholders should give attention on the means of supporting or decreasing the costs of dialysis and medications up to making it for free through health insurance coverage.