Effects of Visualized Health Education Based on Health Belief Model on Self-Management of Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease often require maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Effective self-management is crucial for the prognosis of patients undergoing MHD; however, their self-management practices remain suboptimal. Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of visualized health education based on health belief model on self-management, self-efficacy, quality of life, and quality of dialysis in patients undergoing MHD. Methods: A total of 93 patients undergoing MHD from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou were recruited between December 2021 and June 2022 and divided into control (n = 44) and intervention (n = 49) groups according to their dialysis time. The control group received standard health education, while the intervention group received visualized health education based on the Health Belief Model (3 months, 3 times a week, about 1 hour each time). The Hemodialysis Self-Management Instrument, Self-Efficacy Scale, Hemodialysis Knowledge Questionnaire, and 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey were used before and after intervention. Physiological indices related to hemodialysis (serum potassium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, albumin, and hemoglobin) were collected. Results: After intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores in self-management ability (63.0 [57.0, 68.5]), self-management efficacy (29.0 [26.0, 31.0]), hemodialysis knowledge (21.0 [20.0, 22.0]), and quality of life (68.8 [56.3, 79.2]) than the control group ( P < .05). More individuals in the intervention group achieved normal ranges for hemoglobin, albumin, serum potassium, and serum phosphorus. Conclusion: The visualized health education intervention significantly enhanced self-management level, self-efficacy, and quality of life in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. This approach is recommended for broader application.