Evaluation of healthy lifestyle behaviors and affecting factors of hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Nurses should carry out the necessary research, training and counseling services to guide hemodialysis (HD) patients in acquiring healthy lifestyle behaviors. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviors in HD patients and affecting factors. Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at a university hospital in Eastern Turkey between November 13, 2017 and November 16, 2018. The study was carried out with 140 patients who were registered in the HD units of the relevant hospitals and met the sampling criteria. The study data were collected using the patient introduction form and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II). Results: Patients’ mean total score in the HPLP II was found to be 117.80±37.07. When we look at the mean scores of the patients in the sub-scales, it was found that the highest mean score was 22.44±7.01 points in the health responsibility sub-scale and the lowest mean score was 14.38±6.70 points in the physical activity sub-scale. Conclusion: As a result of the study, patients were found to have moderate healthy lifestyle behaviors and very low physical activity scores. Based on these results, it is recommended to organize special exercise programs in order to increase the physical activity levels of HD patients with low levels of activity.