Background:

Hemodialysis is a form of treatment for chronic kidney disease that requires arteriovenous fistula creation. Given that patients are required to care for their arteriovenous fistulae, nurses should teach them these self-care behaviors.

Objective:

To analyze the self-care behaviors of patients with arteriovenous fistula undergoing hemodialysis.

Methodology:

Analytical cross-sectional study with 131 patients from three hemodialysis clinics in the north of Portugal using of Assessment of Self-Care Behaviors with Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Scale.

Results:

Arteriovenous fistula-related self-care behaviors scored an average of 74.5 points, the Management of signs and symptoms subscale scored 85.27 points, and the Prevention of complications 68.26 points out of a maximum of 100 points. Education level and teaching agent were associated with self-care behaviors. Age and education level were related to the prevention of complications.

Conclusion:

The self-care behaviors of patients with arteriovenous fistula were below expected levels. We suggest that a multidisciplinary team should provide self-care training to these patients adjusted to their age and education level.

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