KAP STUDY ON NURSES' MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN THE HEMODIALYSIS UNIT OF BUEA REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Abstract Effective patient management in hemodialysis settings depends largely on clear communication, continuous monitoring, patient education, and psychosocial support provided by nurses. However, several factors can significantly hinder care delivery, compromise patient understanding, and negatively affect treatment adherence and safety. Guided by Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory which emphasizes therapeutic communication and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory which highlights patient participation in care, this study addresses the challenges posed by hearing impairment in achieving effective patient-centered management. This study employs a cross-sectional descriptive survey design to evaluate the management of hearing-impaired CKD patients in the hemodialysis unit of Buea Regional Hospital, specifically to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding hearing impairment in CKD patients, examine their attitudes toward managing such patients and evaluate practical patient management strategies used in care delivery. The study population includes all 30 nurses working in the unit, purposively selected based on their direct involvement in patient care. Data are collected using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice, alongside an observational checklist evaluating key patient management practices, including communication adaptation, patient education, monitoring, medication administration, safety, emotional support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and documentation. Methodological technical requirements for the instruments and data validation were abided to. Quantitative analysis was performed with the support of SPSS using frequency, proportions and multiple-response sets, effectiveness tested against a cutpoint of 80% with the Chi-Square Goodness -Of-Fit test, and the influence of knowledge and attitude on practice appraised using Spearman’s Rho correlation test. Findings unfold that in aggregate, nurses had positive or good attitude toward the management of CKD patients with hearing impairment in the hemodialysis unit with a very strong majority proportion weight of 91.4%, and at the same time, attitude significantly predicted the outcome of care. On the other hand, nurses’ knowledge on the the management of CKD patients with hearing impairment in the hemodialysis unit was moderate (42.3%), thus the need for more in-service training to palliate to this lack, and also having this included in their training programme. This will go a long way to palliate to the difficulties they faced in managing or carrying out procedure with CKD patients with hearing impairment. Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, Hearing Impairment, Hemodialysis, Nursing Management, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice