ABSTRACT
Home self-care management for hemodialysis patients is very important to be independent, as much as possible. The aim of this study was to assess home self-care for patients with renal failure. A descriptive research design was used. The study was carried out at the hemodialysis units in Benha University Hospital and Benha Educational Hospital, from beginning of January 2010 to beginning of June 2010. composed of 100 female patients with renal failure from the selected dialysis units. Tools of the study 1] Interviewing Questionnaire covering the general characteristics of the study subjects, and assesses their knowledge, and attitude regarding to their disease. 2] An Observational Checklist to observe patients' self care practices at home. The study results revealed that 40% were from Benha Educational Hospital and 60% from Benha University Hospital, 41% of patients were illiterate; the disease was more prevalent among the age group 48 to 57 years, 48% of patients had good knowledge about personal hygiene and 69% of them are not doing simple moving activity. There was highly statistically significant relations between patient's knowledge and self care practices with their age, residence, educational level, occupation, and income p<0.001. There was also a statistically significant relations between total patient knowledge and total self care practices [p<0.05]. There were significant relations between patients' socio-demographic characteristics for age, income, educational level, marital status occupation and residence with knowledge and also with their total self-care practices. Developing a health education program for new cases of renal failure about their health care management. A booklet containing information about renal failure and patient's self care should be available in all hemodialysis units