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The association of sociodemographic factors and needs of haemodialysis patients according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs

C. Shih, Chiu-Ya Huang, Mei-Lun Huang, Chyong-Mei Chen, Chih-Ching Lin, Fu-In Tang

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2018

159 participants · 17 citations

Abstract

AIM

To explore the association between the sociodemographic factors and the needs of patients undergoing haemodialysis in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND

Concomitant discomfort, including physical and mental aspects, affects the patients' quality of life and their willingness to undergo haemodialysis. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a well-known tool to assess different levels of human needs.

METHOD

We conducted a small-scale cross-sectional observational study using a structured needs assessment questionnaire on 159 patients from the Taipei Veterans General Hospital haemodialysis unit.

RESULTS

The overall mean scores of physical, mental, spiritual, other needs and needs in relation to medical staff care were 4.0 ± 0.8, 3.2 ± 0.8, 2.7 ± 1.0, 3.1 ± 0.9 and 4.1 ± 0.7, respectively. The results showed that the patients' highest need was in relation to medical staff care, followed by physical needs. Further analysis showed that patients who are still employed during the treatment process have higher mental, spiritual and other needs. Patient who is financially supported by their family has higher physical needs. Patients taken care of by paid caregivers have lower spiritual needs and other needs. This is also the same with patients who are religious as opposed to those who are nonreligious. Patients who have attained tertiary education have higher other needs compared with patients who have only achieved up to primary or secondary education.

CONCLUSION

The study is the first in Taiwan to…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 159 participants or records.

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