Factors Influencing Adherence to Hemodialysis Sessions among Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease in Makkah City

Adherence to hemodialysis (HD) treatment remains a challenging task for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Interventions to improve adherence need to identify factors influencing such behavior among ESRD patients. The objective of the study is to identify factors influencing adherence to HD among ESRD patients. A cross-sectional survey research was conducted in three HD centers at three major governmental hospitals in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. The Andersen Behavioral Model was used as the analytic framework, and the variables were categorized into predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Frequency distribution and percentages were employed to characterize the participants, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors influencing adherence to HD sessions among ESRD patients in Makkah. Three hundred and sixty-one patients have completed the survey questionnaire and participated in this study. 55.96% of the participants were adherent to HD sessions. The factors, marital status, belief in the importance of following dialysis schedule, using personal transportation, days of dialysis, having a busy lifestyle, being advised by medical professionals about the importance of not missing dialysis treatment, and frequency of advice from medical professionals about the importance of staying for the entire dialysis time were significantly associated with adherence to HD sessions. Nonadherence to dialysis is still a major challenge among ESRD patients, and a representative sample is needed to inform policy- and decision-making related to improving adherence to dialysis sessions in Saudi Arabia.