Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis experience numerous life changes often requiring significant sacrifices. Adaptation to the limitations associated with the disease and dialysis treatments may influence their health behaviour. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the level of illness acceptance and the intensity of health behaviours in patients treated with haemodialysis. METHODS: The study used a diagnostic survey method using the Acceptance of Illness Scale and Health Behaviour Inventory questionnaires, adapted to Polish conditions by Z. Juczyński. The study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023 among 105 patients in one dialysis centre in Poland. RESULTS: The patients showed an average level of disease acceptance (22.64 ± 6.52) and presented a low level of health behaviour intensity (79.11 ± 12.46). The disease acceptance index and the intensity of health behaviours showed positive correlations with age, disease duration, and the duration of haemodialysis treatment. Statistically significant positive correlations were identified between illness acceptance and the intensity of health-related behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: The acceptance of illness may influence adherence to health behaviours, which highlights the importance of introducing integrated and early therapeutic support to assist in the acceptance process.