Authors
1
MSc in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Associate Professor, Chair of Adult Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
4
Instructor of Medical Education, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
5
Instructor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22034/hp.2022.347666.1015
Abstract
Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis often have poor general health. Sharing experiences via Social Networks may help patients with chronic illnesses. The present study aimed to determine the effects of sharing experiences via social networking on 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 through the convenient sampling method and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups completed the demographic information and general health questionnaires. The experimental group received necessary training on using WhatsApp to share their experience, and the control group received routine care. Immediately after the intervention, the general health questionnaire was completed by two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25.0).
Results: There was no significant difference between the mean score of general health before the intervention in the two groups (p > 0.05). However, after intervention in the experimental group, the mean general health score instantly decreased from 35.2 ± 12.8 to 29.8 ± 8.4 (p<0.05). The findings showed that patients who were young, employed, or had no underlying disease had a higher level of general health (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Sharing experience via social networking were effective in reducing general health scores. There was a significant relationship between age, job status, underlying disease, and a higher level of general health. Therefore, sharing experiences via social networking can improve the general health level of these patients.
Keywords
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