Objectives: To find the prevalence of knowledge of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) self-care, its characteristics, and associated factors among hemodialysis patients and summarize the findings of various domains of AVF self-care in south Asian countries.
Methods: The systematic literature search was performed on online databases and additional sources to retrieve published articles on AVF self-care. We estimated the pooled prevalence using a random effects model in meta-analysis. Additionally, thematic knowledge regarding various aspects of AVF self-care was narratively summarized.
Results: Among the articles retrieved seven studies met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence of AVF self-care in individual studies ranged from 59% to 99%, with an overall random pooled prevalence of 81% (95% CI, 68% to 94%). Major factors associated with self-care of AVF knowledge included patients' educational status, age, vintage of hemodialysis, and healthcare personnel's advice.
Discussion: Knowledge scarcity regarding potential measures of AVF self-care obligates the need for continuous education in hemodialysis patients. A multidisciplinary approach is vital to enhance self-care from pre- to post-creation of AVF in hemodialysis patients as well as their caregivers in order to prolong the patency rates and decrease the subsequent morbidity and mortality due to failure of AVF.
Keywords: Knowledge; arteriovenous fistula; chronic kidney disease; hemodialysis; self-care.