Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Physical inactivity has various harmful effects but in case of chronic diseases patients perceive various barriers for physical activity. This study aims to find such barriers in Chronic Kidney Disease patients.

This is an observational study conducted in dialysis unit of a tertiary care hospital with 104 both female & male patients of age group 40–60 years undergoing hemodialysis (HD) at least for past 6 months. Patients with recent MI, stroke & with physical impairment were excluded. Consented patients participated. Human Activity Profile Questionnaire (HAP) was used to assess the patient's physical activity level and patient related perceived barriers for physical activity.

Among 104 patients, male-female ratio was 62: 42, mean age was54.56 years, mean dialysis vintage was 27.85 months (range 6–120 months). Hypertension (91.3%), Diabetes (53.8%) were most frequent chronic co-morbidities. According to MAS and AAS of HAP, 55.8%, 43.3%, 1% patients were respectively impaired, moderately active & active. The most frequently reported barriers were fatigue or tiredness (54.8%), shortness of breath (51.9%) (p 0.03), fear of getting hurt (22.1%), body pain (21.2%). Other reported barriers are joint pain, family protection, lower limb swelling, foot ulcer, chest pain, less self confidence, anxiety, overstressed, depression. Shortness of breath is the most influential barrier and statistically significant (p0.04).

There were a number of patient related perceived barriers for physical activity were identified and among that fatigue & SOB were found to be influential factors.