Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Economics. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-151). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=1251858901&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=2&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1195140742&clientId=5220

The purpose of this study was to examine health literacy and treatment adherence among Latinos with end stage renal disease. Health literacy has been overlooked as one of the factors that affects one's ability to comply with the physician's prescribed medical treatment.

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

A research project submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology through the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / Background Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a reality faced by many around the world. There has been much physiological study around factors associated with CKD, as well as many studies surrounding the psychosocial impacts of the disease, with relatively less attention given to neuropsychological effects the disease can have on sufferers. This paper investigates the cognitive impacts as well as psychological impacts simultaneously, impacting on sufferers of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). Methods Sixteen medically stable patients aged (M = 40.56, SD = 12.52) years with ESKD, were investigated. Eight of the patients were evaluated before and after six months of successful kidney transplant, using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), which assessed immediate memory, visuospatial / constructional, language, and attention. They were also tested on a brief symptom inventory (BSI 18) to assess depression and anxiety in these patients. A further eight who remained on dialysis, and had not undergone renal transplant were evaluated in the same manner for comparative purposes. Results Between-group comparisons showed a statistically significant improvement in overall cognitive functioning, as well as in the specific cognitive domains of visuospatial / constructional, language and attention for participants who had undergone renal transplant surgery compared to their counterparts who had not. Results also found that there were no statistically significant differences between the levels of anxiety experienced between patients in the two groups. When assessing the differences in cognitive improvement within the transplant patient group before and after transplant, improvement in the delayed memory function of renal transplant patients post-transplant was found. Conclusion These data show improvements in delayed memory function of patients having undergone renal transplant therapy, while also highlighting a continued decline of overall cognitive functioning in patients remaining on hemodialysis therapy. / GR2017

This research examines the relationship between health literacy among End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients and its relevance for communication between patients and providers. The study was conducted among dialysis services providers at the Good Samaritan Dialysis Center and dialysis patients receiving care at the Center. Data collection techniques included individual interviews, surveys, and the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA), which measured the health literacy level of the participants. The results of the study show that a large majority of the patients have "adequate" health literacy, which contradicts the provider's perceptions of the patient's ability to comprehend health information. Provider's perspectives are shaped by their training and work environment. The study suggests that structural barriers and communication issues impede effective patient-provider interactions. This issue is especially serious for those chronic disease patients who have limited self-management skills. / Graduation date: 2012

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) introduces physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual challenges into patients’ lives. Spirituality has been found to contribute to improved health outcomes, mainly in the areas of quality of life (QOL) and well-being. No studies exist to explore the influences of spirituality on the health outcomes and general well-being in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis (HD) treatment in Scotland. This study was therefore carried out to examine and explore spirituality in the day-to-day lives of patients with ESRD receiving HD treatment and how it may influence their health outcomes and, in particular, QOL and general well-being. The study described in this thesis employed a sequential mixed method approach over two stages: quantitative and qualitative. Following ethical approval, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 72 patients from 11 dialysis units recruited from four Health Boards in Scotland. The participants in the study were regular patients attending the dialysis units three times per week. Data on patients’ quality of life, general well-being, and spirituality were collected using self-administered questionnaires including demographic information: the Short Form Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire (SF-36v2), the General Health Questionnaire, and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Predictive Analytics Software for Windows. The findings highlighted that patients’ quality of life was markedly lower than the United Kingdom general population average norms of 50. Increasing age was associated with better mental health but worse physical health. The survey also found that there were no significant associations between spirituality and patients’ quality of life and general well-being. However, it was considered important to complement and enrich the survey findings by gaining a deeper understanding of the influences of spirituality on patients’ health outcomes and general well-being by carrying out the qualitative component of the study. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 21 patients from those who participated in the survey. A thematic approach using Framework Analysis informed the qualitative data analysis. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews: ‘Emotional and Psychological Turmoil’, ‘Life is Restricted’, ‘Spirituality’ and ‘Other Coping Strategies’. The findings from the interviews confirmed that patients’ quality of life might be affected because of the physical challenges such as unremitting fatigue, disease unpredictability, or being tied down to a dialysis machine, or the emotional and psychological challenges imposed by the disease into their lives such as wholesale changes, dialysis as a forced choice and having a sense of indebtedness. The findings also revealed that spirituality was an important coping strategy for the majority of participants who took part in the qualitative component (n=16). Different meanings of spirituality were identified including connection with God or Supernatural Being, connection with the self, others and nature/environment. Spirituality encouraged participants to accept their disease and offered them a sense of protection, instilled hope in them and helped them to maintain a positive attitude to carry on with their daily lives, which may have had a positive influence on their health outcomes and general well-being. The findings also revealed that humour was another coping strategy that helped to diffuse stress and anxiety for some participants and encouraged them to carry on with their lives. The findings from this study contribute knowledge to increase our understanding of the influence of spirituality on the health outcomes and general well-being of patients with end-stage renal disease currently receiving haemodialysis treatment. Based on the findings from this thesis, recommendations are made for clinical practice, patient and nurse education and for future research.

1 electroninc resource (ix, 86 leaves) / This study aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of relatives of patients with chronic renal failure regarding kidney donation. The number of patients suffering from chronic renal failure awaiting kidney transplantation is on the increase, while the treatment they get in the interim is not cost effective. The researcher used qualitative descriptive and exploratory research using the Potter and Perry’s Health Belief Model. She applied purposive sampling and used semi structured interviews to collect data from 45 participants who were all relatives of patients coming for haemodialysis at a selected hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Data analysis identified participants’ perceptions regarding chronic renal failure and kidney donation. Findings of the study revealed that most relatives were fully aware of kidney donation, but fear and lack of knowledge regarding kidney transplantation were the main barriers to them offering themselves for kidney donation. The researcher recommends that the Renal Transplant Multidisciplinary Committee should ensure the public is informed about kidney donation and more intensive education should be given to the relatives of patients suffering from chronic renal failure at an early stage in the illness to give them more time to come to terms with the concept of kidney donation. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of relatives of patients with chronic renal failure regarding kidney donation. The number of patients suffering from chronic renal failure awaiting kidney transplantation is on the increase, while the treatment they get in the interim is not cost effective. The researcher used qualitative descriptive and exploratory research using the Potter and Perry’s Health Belief Model. She applied purposive sampling and used semi structured interviews to collect data from 45 participants who were all relatives of patients coming for haemodialysis at a selected hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Data analysis identified participants’ perceptions regarding chronic renal failure and kidney donation. Findings of the study revealed that most relatives were fully aware of kidney donation, but fear and lack of knowledge regarding kidney transplantation were the main barriers to them offering themselves for kidney donation. The researcher recommends that the Renal Transplant Multidisciplinary Committee should ensure the public is informed about kidney donation and more intensive education should be given to the relatives of patients suffering from chronic renal failure at an early stage in the illness to give them more time to come to terms with the concept of kidney donation. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)