ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts patients on dialysis' quality of life, requiring effective coping strategies and support. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the quality of life, coping strategies, and support needs of patients undergoing dialysis at a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Edo State.This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design to assess the quality of life, coping strategies, and support needs of a convenience sample of 164 patients undergoing dialysis at a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Edo State. The findings revealed that 61.6% of participants reported a high quality of life, with 75% indicating satisfaction with their overall health and well-being. Additionally, 74.4% of participants indicated high support needs across emotional, psychosocial, and practical domains. The predominant coping strategies utilized included reliance on family support (64%), maintaining a positive outlook (68%), and effective dietary management (62%). However, 36% of participants reported using negative coping mechanisms, indicating a need for further intervention. The study concluded that while patients on dialysis experience a relatively high quality of life, they face significant support needs that must be addressed to improve their overall well-being. The findings emphasize the complexity of the dialysis experience, where high physical health scores (65%) coexist with challenges in coping and emotional well-being, with 70% indicating feelings of anxiety and depression related to their condition. Based on the results, the study recommends the development of comprehensive support programs that address the multifaceted needs of patients on dialysis, including enhanced education for patients and families, the establishment of peer support groups (72% expressed interest), and improved communication between healthcare providers and patients. Future research should further investigate the barriers to effective support and coping strategies among patients on dialysis to inform tailored interventions that promote resilience and enhance quality of life.

Keywords: Quality of life, Coping strategies, Support needs, Patients on dialysis, Tertiary hospital