OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adherence of patients, with chronic renal failure (CRF), to hemodialysis treatment. METHOD: This is a descriptive-quantitative study, conducted in a hemodialysis unit in Fortaleza-CE, the sample population was composed of 45 clients undergoing hemodialysis, who were interviewed. RESULTS: The reactions of CRF patients confronted with the diagnosis were: 58% negative, 33% indifferent and 9% positive. The reactions related to hemodialysis were: 73.4% negative, 13.3% indifferent and 13.3% positive. The main difficulties in adhering were: transportation, length of the session, pain caused by the puncture made with the fistula, financial factors, dependence of companions, and knowledge deficit. The strategies to adhering were: fear of death, faith in God, hope for transplant, and family support. CONCLUSION: It was found that the CRF patients adhere to treatment to survive, but many do not complied.
Chronic renal failure; Hospital of hemodialysis units; Disorders of adaptation
