The results of this study showed that nonadherence was more common among younger, married patients, and those with lower levels of perceived social support.

Aim.  To examine herbal product use among patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis. Background.  Herbal therapy is a very popular choice for many patients. However, little information is available about herbal product use in renal patients. Design.  The study was designed as a cross‐sectional survey. The data were obtained from 114 end‐stage renal disease patients in two haemodialysis centres in Ankara, Turkey between June–August 2007. Methods.  Data were collected through face‐to‐face structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and the chi‐square test were conducted. Results.  Approximately one‐third of the patients (28·1%) used a herbal product after the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Of these, 13·2% reported currently taking herbal products. A minority of participants (12·5%) informed their physician of herbal product use. Marital status was the only variable significantly associated with herbal product use. Conclusions.  The results of this study showed that many patients used herbal products, but most did not disclose this use to their physician. Herbal product use was more prevalent among the participants who were married. Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding the patterns and reasons of herbal use is beneficial in efforts to improve the care of patients with end‐stage renal disease. Nurses should be aware of the potential health risks caused by herbal products and should educate the patient and the family.

This study demonstrated that the students who were attending the first-year program, those with higher levels of perceptions of health and those whose mothers had better health behaviors were more likely to have better health behaviors. The results of this study emphasize the importance of making culturally appropriate interventions by taking into account the factors contributing to the health behaviors of nursing students.

The psychometric properties of the TDS-T were consistent with those reported in the original study. The TDS-T was found to be a valid and reliable tool for evaluating thirst distress in patients on hemodialysis.

Patients with higher levels of thirst and xerostomia and those with a high IWG were more likely to have higher thirst distress. A greater understanding of thirst distress and its related factors could contribute to more effective interventions that improve health and well-being in patients on HD.