Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience poor general health. Sharing personal experiences through social networks can potentially benefit individuals with chronic conditions. This study investigates how sharing experiences via social networking affects the general health of dialysis patients.
Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Al-Kindi and Imam Ali hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2021. A total of 72 hemodialysis patients were selected using the convenient sampling method and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups completed demographic information forms and general health questionnaires. The experimental group received training on using WhatsApp to share their experiences, while the control group received routine care. Immediately after the intervention, both groups completed the general health questionnaire again. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 25.0).
Results: There was no significant difference in the mean general health score between the two groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). However, after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in their mean general health score from 35.2 ± 12.8 to 29.8 ± 8.4 (p < 0.05). The findings indicated that younger patients, those who were employed, or those without underlying diseases had higher levels of general health (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Sharing experiences via social networking (WhatsApp) may positively impact the general health of hemodialysis patients, as the study found a significant decrease in general health scores in the intervention group. However, limitations such as convenience sampling and the specific study setting should be considered.