Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal failure is a progressive and irreversible disorder which disables kidneys to excrete metabolic waste and maintain fluid and electrolyte and exposes the patients to different types of malfunctions. Hemodialysis is one of the main treatments for chronic kidney failure patients. Despite the therapeutic effect of hemodialysis in end stage renal failure, patients experience multiple physical and psychological stresses. Since body and spirit are correlated, religious attitude and spiritual intelligence can act as a potential support. Studies have shown that spiritual beliefs influence health and self-care behaviors of patients. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between spiritual intelligence and self-care in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS: This study used a descriptive-analytic methodology. Participants included 122 hemodialysis patients in teaching hospitals of Imam Reza and Imam Khomeini in Kermanshah. Inclusion criteria included age >18, 6 months of hemodialysis or more, and willingness to participate. Demographics, self-care checklist as well as Abdollahzadeh’s spiritual intelligence questionnaire were used to collect data. Data was analyzed by SPSS, V22, using descriptive statistics (percentages, diagrams, mean) and Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS: participants were of both genders (50% female and 50% male), majority of whom aged 60-70 (22.3%), with less than high school education (72.1%) and unemployed (83 %). The results showed that R = .211 at 95% confidence level, suggesting a significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and self-care. A majority of patients (32%) had moderate spiritual intelligence (score 111-128 for SQ questionnaire). The mean of self-care was 56.32; patients had the highest self-care (24.99) for skin and fistula and the lowest self-care (6.20) for sleeping and rest.

CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between spiritual intelligence and self-care. Therefore, spiritual aspects can promote self-care behaviors among patients.

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