Anxiety and Depression Symptoms of Renal Failure Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at Al Sadder Teaching Hospital in Al Amarah City

Abstract

Objectives: this study aims to assess Anxiety and Depression level of renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis and to find out the relationship between anxiety and depression of renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis and their socio demographic characteristics.

Methodology: A descriptive analytical study was carried out at Al-Sadder Teaching Hospital, Hemodialysis Unit , in February, 9^th, 2014 to May, 15^th, 2014, in order to assess anxiety and depression level of renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis, and to identify the significant variance in the level of psychological distress with regard to socio demographic characteristics. A non-probability ( Purposive sample ) of ( 60 ) renal failure patients were selected of hemodialysis unit at Al-Amarah City. A questionnaire was adopted and developed for the purpose of the study which consists of three parts; the first part concerning the socio demographic characteristics of patients; the second part deals with the clinical characteristics for patients; and the third part of the questionnaire was (HADS) scale which consists of 14 items. Reliability of the questionnaire is determined through a pilot study and the validity is achieved through a panel of (15) experts. The data was described statistically and analyzed through using of the descriptive and inferential statistical analysis procedures.

Results: The results of the present study indicated that the patients have moderate level of anxiety and severe level of depression according to HADS scale, also the study indicated that the socio demographic characteristics have a significant impact on psychological distress level (Anxiety and Depression level).

Conclusion: The present study concludes that anxiety and depression are the most common co morbid psychiatric disorders in patients who have renal failure, and there is a relationship between anxiety and depression level of renal failure patients and their socio demographic characteristic.

Recommendations: The study recommends Increasing the level of awareness for renal failure patients and their families about the nature and type of disease to minimize their distress, Psycho educational programs to improve their psychological and emotional status, the training of nursing staff on how to deal with patients to help them overcome the psychological problems.