Attitudes and practices toward anxiety among haemodialysis patients: a multicentre cross-sectional study in Qingdao, China

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate anxiety levels, as well as attitudes and practices toward anxiety in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Design: Cross-sectional study conducted from May to August 2023.

Setting: This study was conducted from May to August 2023 at multiple haemodialysis units in Qingdao, China.

Participants: Adult patients who regularly undergo haemodialysis were invited to participate.

Interventions: NA.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: The participants' anxiety, attitudes and practices related to their condition were measured by a self-designed questionnaire. The demographic characteristics were also collected as exposure variables.

Results: A total of 535 patients participated, with a mean age of 55.50±14.30 years; 314 were male. The average duration of haemodialysis was 4.69±3.80 years. The patients had a mean anxiety score of 59.71±7.59. Attitude and practice scores averaged 17.66±4.88 (range: 6-30) and 32.12±6.28 (range: 8-40), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that a monthly household income of ¥5001-10 000 (β=1.2, p=0.006) and anxiety score (β=0.215, p<0.001) were independently associated with attitudes. For practices, attitude (β=0.281, p<0.001) and the same income category (β=1.512, p=0.011) were significant. Structural equation modelling identified anxiety's direct effects on attitudes (β=0.218, p<0.001) and practices (β=-0.149, p<0.001), with attitudes positively affecting practices (β=0.380, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Patients undergoing haemodialysis exhibited high anxiety levels alongside proactive practices and negative attitudes. Anxiety was positively associated with attitudes but negatively with practices, indicating that proactive practices may alleviate anxiety. Targeted mental health strategies are needed to enhance the quality of life for haemodialysis patients.

Keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Observational Study.