Compliance to treatment of clients' on automated peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract

• Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) is a favourable treatment option for clients' with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of this small scale descriptive exploratory study was to assess the compliance to treatment of clients' on APD. The study's objective are to explore compliance of clients on APD with daily diet and fluid intake, and medication, to assess the daily recorded process of APD and to identify factors which may hinder or enhance compliance of clients. A purposive sample of ten clients on APD were recruited, one of whom was utilized for pilot study. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. The interview questions were open-ended allowing the nine participants to express themselves freely on the measures taken to remain compliant with treatment. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and thematic analysis using Burnard (1991) framework was carried out. Three themes emerged from the data analysis, namely, routine and adaptation, family support and forgetfulness. The blood results, intake and output charting and APD reading were also compared with normal blood values to assess for compliance. A set of recommendations were made to help the clients' on APD improve compliance. Further research was suggested to investigate further the factors for compliance, and the knowledge of clients on APD with regards to compliance and consequences of compliance to treatment.