Pandemi ve Covid-19 Korkusunun Hemodiyaliz Hastalarının Günlük Yaşamına Etkisi

Aim: The study was conducted with 80 hemodialysis patients to determine the effects of the pandemic and the fear of Covid-19 on the daily lives of hemodialysis patients. Method: The study’s data were collected using the “Patient Information Form” and the “Covid-19 Fear Scale”. In the evaluation of the data, percentage, chi-square, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: While the rate of Covid-19 infection was reported as 53.2% of the patients, 43.2% of them stated that the disease was mild. While 63.7% of the patients defined the pandemic period as “Fear” it was determined that the mean Covid-19 Fear Scale score of these patients was significantly higher (p=0.005). 43.8% of the patients stated that they had difficulty coming to treatment during the pandemic period. It was determined that 43.8% of the patients used herbal tea and 27.8% herbal products more during the pandemic period compared to before the pandemic. It was determined that those with a secondary school education level or below had a higher fear of Covid-19 than those with a high school education level or above (p=0.006). While 61.25% of the patients stated that they had a higher fear of death during this period, it was determined that these patients had a higher fear of Covid-19 (p<0.001). It was determined that patients washed their hands and used masks more during the pandemic period, went to the market less, stayed away from crowded environments, and used more bleach and vinegar for cleaning. Conclusion: It was determined that hemodialysis patients experienced difficulties in their daily lives and treatment processes during the pandemic period, and it was determined that hemodialysis patients continued their pandemic-era practices during the normalization process. It is thought that it is important to carry out the training and counseling process in order for hemodialysis patients to be prepared for natural disasters such as pandemics.