Exploring the Relationship Between Medication Beliefs and Therapy Outcomes Among Hemodialysis Patients at Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a progressive and irreversible condition that requires long-term hemodialysis therapy. Continuous treatment may influence patients' beliefs about medicines and therapy outcomes, particularly quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, medication beliefs, therapy outcomes, and the relationship between medication beliefs and therapy outcomes among hemodialysis patients at Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital, Surakarta. Methods: This analytical observational study used a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling and involved 80 respondents. Medication beliefs were assessed using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief questionnaire, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using creatinine clearance values. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Chi-square test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Most respondents had positive medication beliefs (65.0%) and good quality of life (65.0%). Clinical outcomes showed that the majority of respondents had increased creatinine clearance values (85.0%). Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test showed no significant relationship between medication beliefs and quality of life as a therapy outcome (p = 0.065).Conclusion: Medication beliefs were predominantly positive among hemodialysis patients; however, they were not significantly associated with quality of life as a therapy outcome.