Rania Rabie El-Etreby^1,, Ahmed Hashem El-Sayed El-Monshed¹

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious medical and public health problem whose prevalence is increasing worldwide. Patients with CKD must cope with life changes and stresses to improve their quality of life (QoL). It is suggested that self-management is key to the effective care of chronic diseases, a process in which individuals carry out the daily functions of health care to manage chronic diseases. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of self-management program on QoL among patients with CKD. Subjects and Method: A quasi-experimental research design [pretest -posttest] was conducted at Out-Patient Clinics of the New Mansoura General Hospital. The instruments used for data collection were Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule and The 36-item Short-Form Questionnaire (SF-36). A convenience sampling of sixty nine patients with CKD completed the study after implementing the self-management program with 6 weekly sessions. Results: The present study findings revealed that there was highly statistically significant difference of all dimensions of QoL except pain and vitality/ energy dimensions between before and after implementing the self-management program. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the CKD self-management program had a positive effect on preventing QoL deterioration in patients with CKD. Recommendation: Self- management programs will be useful if it is accompanied by other therapeutic and welfare actions and comprehensive supports of public and private charity organizations.

chronic kidney disease, quality of life, self-management