Sexual Function in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure on Hemodialysis and Its Effects on Patients' Perception of Health and Life Satisfaction

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted to determine both sexual functions of patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and the relationship between sexual function and "life satisfaction and perception of health". The study was conducted with 125 patients with chronic renal failure who were treated at dialysis centers. Data were collected with the socio-demographic information form, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Satisfaction with Life Scale and Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire. Of the participants, 72 % were over the age of 50 and 64.8 % had a chronic illness for six or more years. All the participants were receiving hemodialysis treatment. Of the participants, 85.6 % suffered from sexual dysfunction. There was a moderately significant positive correlation between the participants' ASEX scores and the scores they obtained from the general perception of health, pain, physical fatigue, sleep and emotional subscales. However, there was not a significant relationship between ASEX mean scores and Satisfaction with Life Scale mean scores. The results of this study revealed that sexual dysfunction was common among patients with chronic renal failure and having hemodialysis therapy, and adversely affected their perception of health.