WeChat peer education on self-management behavior of hemodialysis patients

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of WeChat peer education on the self-management ability of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, evaluating its intervention effect on interdialysis self-management behavior. Conducted in a Grade-III hospital in Wuhan from January to December 2022, MHD patients were randomly assigned to intervention (WeChat peer education + bedside health education) and control (bedside health education only) groups, with 70 patients in each. A 3-month pre-test preceded the formal study, and data were collected before and after a 6-month intervention. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in self-management behavior scale scores, particularly in the "performing self-care" dimension, registering a 0.87-point increase compared to pre-intervention levels. The sample loss rate was 4.3%, with 134 MHD patients participating throughout the intervention. General data, including gender, age, dialysis time, and underlying diseases, showed no statistical differences between groups pre-intervention (P>0.05). WeChat peer education proved effective in enhancing self-efficacy and disease self-management ability, surpassing the control group. This study establishes the feasibility and efficacy of implementing WeChat peer education for MHD patients, providing valuable insights into improving patient outcomes in hemodialysis care.