Socioeconomic Burden of Hemodialysis on Patients undergoing Dialysis at BPKIHS, Nepal

The most common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is diabetes and hypertension. Hemodialysis is a treatment option available for patients experiencing renal insufficiency and is an expensive endeavor. To find out socioeconomic burden of hemodialysis on patients undergoing dialysis and to find out association between the socioeconomic burden of patients with selected variables. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in hemodialysis ward of BPKIHS. All 50 patients who were on current dialysis schedule and met inclusion criteria were included in the study. Sample was collected by using purposive sampling technique. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The total cost per session was found to be around 5000 NPR. Regarding the cost of treatment, direct medical cost contributes for 78.9% whereas indirect medical cost contributes 21.1%. Nearly three-forth (74.0%) of patients reported feeling of financially dependence . Forty percentages of respondents sold their belongings like animals/lands /jewelry to manage dialysis cost. Most (90.9%) of the respondents became unemployed because of job loss . Around two third (62.0%) of respondents had felt isolated in their family. Due to which the patients suffer from socioeconomic burden despite of Government support.