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. 2023 Apr-Jun;45(2):180-191.
doi: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2022-0001en.

Pregnancy and postpartum experiences of women undergoing hemodialysis: a qualitative study

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Débora Bicudo Faria-Schützer  1 , Anderson Borovac-Pinheiro  1 , Larissa Rodrigues  1 , Fernanda Garanhani Surita  1
Affiliations

Pregnancy and postpartum experiences of women undergoing hemodialysis: a qualitative study

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Débora Bicudo Faria-Schützer et al. J Bras Nefrol. 2023 Apr-Jun.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: There are particularities of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in women and their treatment. The biology of women exposes them to greater risk factors for CKD and both pregnancy and the postpartum period place an additional burden on renal health. Pregnancy complications may cause or worsen CKD.

Objective: To explore the experiences of women with CKD undergoing hemodialysis in relation to their reproductive history.

Methods: This study consisted of clinical-qualitative design with semi-structured individual interviews and open-ended questions. The sample selection was intentional and according to the theoretical saturation criterion. The data analysis was carried out based on the seven steps of the clinical-qualitative content analysis and validated by Nvivo11. This study was conducted in a public hemodialysis clinic of the Brazilian National Health System.

Results: Twelve women undergoing hemodialysis were interviewed. The results from the analysis revealed three categories: 1) Association of pregnancy with CKD; 2) Nebulosity in relation to diagnosis and reproductive history 3) Being a woman undergoing hemodialysis.

Conclusion: Our study showed the importance of considering the specificities of CKD in women, suggesting that these issues are important for diagnosis and treatment adherence. Consideration of reproductive life history allows the health of women undergoing hemodialysis to be promoted holistically, including aspects of mental health.

Introdução:: Existem particularidades da doença renal crônica (DRC) em mulheres e seu tratamento. A biologia das mulheres as expõe a fatores de risco mais elevados para DRC e tanto a gravidez quanto o puerpério implicam um ônus adicional à saúde renal. Complicações na gestação podem causar ou piorar a DRC.

Objetivo:: Explorar as experiências de mulheres com DRC submetidas à hemodiálise em relação ao seu histórico reprodutivo.

Métodos:: Este estudo consistiu em desenho clínico-qualitativo com entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas e questões abertas. A seleção da amostra foi intencional e de acordo com o critério de saturação teórica. A análise de dados foi realizada com base nos sete passos da análise clínico-qualitativa de conteúdo e validada pelo Nvivo11. Este estudo foi realizado em uma clínica pública de hemodiálise do Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro.

Resultados:: Foram entrevistadas 12 mulheres em hemodiálise. Os resultados da análise revelaram três categorias: 1) Associação da gravidez com DRC; 2) Nebulosidade em relação ao diagnóstico e à história reprodutiva; 3) Ser mulher e fazer hemodiálise.

Conclusões:: Nosso estudo mostrou a importância de considerar as especificidades da DRC em mulheres, sugerindo que estas questões são importantes para o diagnóstico e a adesão ao tratamento. A consideração do histórico de vida reprodutiva permite promover de forma holística a saúde das mulheres submetidas à hemodiálise, incluindo aspectos de saúde mental.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Process of data analysis and its relation with the research questions.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Word cloud based on NVivo analysis of word frequency. NVivo 11 (QSR International MA, USA).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Main themes found in health promotion for women undergoing hemodialysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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