Empowering Dialysis Patients: Effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme on Preventing Infectious Complications

Abstract

Background: For patients on haemodialysis, infections remain a primary factor contributing to disease burden and fatal outcomes. Enhancing patient knowledge through structured educational interventions is essential for effective prevention and management of such complications.

Objectives: The current research was conducted to determine how far an organized educational intervention improved awareness related to preventing infectious complications among individuals undergoing haemodialysis in a selected healthcare facility in Wayanad. The study’s objectives included measuring participants’ knowledge before and after the teaching session, comparing both results to evaluate the impact of the intervention, and examining whether baseline knowledge levels had any relationship with selected demographic characteristics.

Methods: A pre-experimental design involving a single group assessed before and after the intervention was employed in this study. A total of 60 individuals undergoing haemodialysis were selected through convenience sampling. Information was gathered using a 25-item structured knowledge tool, administered prior to and following the educational programme. The instrument also included questions related to seven socio-demographic characteristics, namely age, sex, occupation, monthly household income, education, place of residence, and duration on dialysis therapy. The collected responses were processed through both descriptive and analytical statistical approaches to interpret the findings.

Results: The analysis showed a clear rise in knowledge scores after the educational intervention, supported by a statistically meaningful p-value (<0.05), confirming the positive impact of the teaching programme. Additionally, pre-intervention knowledge levels demonstrated a significant relationship with certain demographic characteristics, whereas no such association was noted with the duration of dialysis treatment.

Conclusion: The educational intervention proved beneficial in strengthening patients’ knowledge related to preventing complications, particularly infection-related issues in haemodialysis care. Continued learning opportunities are recommended to maintain awareness and reinforce safe practices that help minimise complications within dialysis settings.