ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to explore the characteristics of hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This descriptive study employed a cross-sectional approach using 30 participants purposively selected from two hemodialysis centers in Riau Province, Indonesia. A personal information form and observation sheets were used for data collection. This study was conducted in May and June 2020. Distribution frequency and Pearson Correlation tests were applied during analysis. Results: A total of 16 (53.3%) patients were female, and most respondents (90%) were married. In addition, the predominant occupation was employees (40%), and the majority has graduated from Senior High School (43.3%). The Mean, Median, and Standard Deviation (SD) of age were 49.9, 50.5, and 11.24. These parameters were respectively 37.88, 29.5, and 34.06 months for the duration from the first dialysis, while 2.04, 2, and 0.24 were correspondingly reported in terms of dialysis adequacy. The Mean, Median, and SD of Inter-dialytic weight gain were 2.25, 2.61, and 0.65, respectively. A correlation was established between age and IDWG (p value = 0.047) with r score = -0.50, and also between IDWD and dialysis adequacy (p value = 0.014) at r score = -0.60. Conclusion: The study identified the need for nurses to carefully consider IDWG and dialysis adequacy while caring for hemodialysis patients. This approach is expected to facilitating survival during the COVID-19 pandemic.