ABSTRACT Objective:

People receiving dialysis have a high mortality rate due to life-threatening, chronic renal failure. These patients experience the fear of pain and suffering, loneliness and death in the haemodialysis unit. This research aimed at determining the perception of death in people receiving dialysis.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, descriptive research was conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Health in public hospitals in the cities of Mersin, Izmir, Antalya, Erzurum, Samsun and Gaziantep. A total 240 patients were treated in the dialysis units of these hospitals. Participants were selected with stratified random sampling. For data collection, a patient information form was prepared by the researcher. Data from the study were analysed with Tukey Honest Significant Difference and one-way ANOVA, using an SPSS version 11.5 software package (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The statistical significance level was defined as p < 0.05.

Results:

People receiving dialysis were found to be in a mildly depressive emotional state and they had death anxiety. Death-related anxiety and depression were more common among the female study participants compared to the male participants. Single patients exhibited higher levels of death anxiety compared to married patients.

Conclusion:

We recommend a holistic and personalised care to allow people receiving dialysis to express their feelings and to overcome the death anxiety. Further research is needed to improve dignified person-centred care for people receiving dialysis.