Examination of the Effect of Health Perception on Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Use in Kidney Transplant Patients

Abstract

Objective: Adherence to immunosuppressive medication is critical for the successful maintenance of kidney transplant therapy. Patients’ health perceptions are influenced by their lived experiences and cultural contexts. This study aimed to examine the impact of health perception on adherence to immunosuppressive medication among kidney transplant patients. Methods: This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a private hospital located in western Turkey. The data were collected from 165 kidney transplant patients aged between 19 and 69. The data collection tools included a Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, the Perception of Health Scale, and the Immunosuppressive Medication Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean scores of the participants on the Perception of Health Scale and the Immunosuppressive Medication Adherence Scale were 53.84 ± 10.04 and 48.18 ± 5.60, respectively. It was found that the level of health perception explained 8.8% of the variance in adherence to immunosuppressive medication (F = 16.909, p < 0.001, R² = 0.094, Adjusted R² = 0.088). Conclusion and Recommendations: The study revealed that 8.8% of the variation in adherence to immunosuppressive medication was associated with health perception levels. Identifying health perception levels before kidney transplantation could help predict the risk of nonadherence to immunosuppressive medication, thereby preventing a significant proportion of rejections. Nursing interventions should focus on enhancing patients' health perception by addressing the focus on Center of Control sub-dimension and considering cultural contexts and beliefs.

Keywords

• Kidney transplantation
• Medication adherence
• Immunosuppressive medication
• Perception
• Health

Böbrek Nakli Olan Hastalarda Sağlık Algısının İmmünsupresif İlaç Kullanımına Uyum Üzerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Böbrek nakli tedavisinin başarılı bir şekilde sürdürülebilmesi için immünsupresif ilaç kullanımına uyum kritik öneme sahiptir. Hastaların sağlık algıları ise yaşadıkları deneyimler ve kültürel yapıdan etkilenmektedir. Çalışmamız böbrek nakli olan hastalarda sağlık algısının immünsupresif ilaç kullanımına uyum üzerine etkisinin incelenmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirildi. Metod: Çalışmamız tanımlayıcı, ilişki arayıcı ve kesitsel bir tasarıma sahipti. Veriler, Türkiye’nin batısında bulunan bir özel hastanede kayıtlı 19-69 yaş arası 165 böbrek nakli olan hastadan elde edildi. Veri toplama formu Sosyodemografik Veri Toplama Formu, Sağlık Algısı Ölçeği ve İmmünsupresif İlaç Kullanımına Uyum Ölçeği’ni içeriyordu. Veriler, basit doğrusal regresyon analizi ile incelendi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların Sağlık Algısı Ölçeği ve İmmünsupresif İlaç Kullanımına Uyum Ölçeği puan ortalamaları sırasıyla 53.84±10.04 ve 48.18±5.60 idi. Katılımcıların sağlık algısı düzeylerinin, immünsüpresif ilaç kullanımına uyum düzeylerindeki varyansın %8.8’ini açıkladığı saptandı (F = 16.909, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.094, Adjusted R2 = 0.088). Sonuç ve Öneriler: Çalışmamızda immünsüpresif ilaç kullanımına uyum düzeyi üzerindeki değişikliğin %8.8 oranında sağlık algısı düzeyi ile ilişkili olduğu belirlendi. Böbrek nakli olan hastalarda, sağlık algı düzeyleri böbrek nakli öncesi belirlenerek, immünsüpresif ilaç uyumsuzluk riski öngörülebilir. Bu şekilde rejeksiyonların önemli bir kısmının önüne geçilebilir. Hastaların sağlık algısını olumlu yönde etkilemek için Kontrol Merkezi alt boyutuna odaklanılmalı, kültürel yapı ve inançları ele alan hemşirelik yaklaşımları yapılmalıdır.

Keywords

• Böbrek nakli
• İlaç uyumu
• İmmünsuresif ilaçlar
• Algı
• Sağlık

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