Impact of end-stage renal failure on the everyday life of Saudi Arabian women

• Main Author: Fatani, Eiman Mohammad Saleh
• Published: University of Surrey 2008
• Subjects: 305
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.486028

This study is the first research conducted in the field of sociology of health and illness that explores the impact of chronic illness, specifically end-stage renal failure (ESRF), on Saudi women. In order to examine how traditional Saudi structures influence the illness and disability experience of Saudi women, this study explores distinctive socio-religious values of Saudi Arabia within.the framework of western sociological concepts. The aims of this study are to explore gender-related issues that affect the various aspects of chronically ill and disabled Saudi women's life; to examine the impact ESRF has on their quality of life, as well as their perceptions of themselves and their illness (body image, self-concept and identity) that may prove to be detrimental to their family care-giving roles and relationships; and to determine how they manage their everyday life. Although these concepts are highlighted in western sociological literature, this study critically re-evaluates them in the light ofthe socio-cultural differences' found in Saudi society. In Phase I, a survey questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic information about all female patients (n=216) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) at the Jeddah Kidney Centre over a three month period. Following exclusion of all non-Saudi women and all Saudi women under age 24 years and over age 59 years, this produced a sampling frame of 150 Saudi women between the ages of 24-59 years, from which the sample for interview was selected by 'systematic sampling'. In Phase II, a qualitative method was utilized to obtain in-depth data from participants in their own words about their illness experience. The sample comprised 50 Saudi women (age 24-59 years) mainly from a low socio-economic background undergoing haemodialysis who were interviewed in-depth on two occasions approximately three weeks apart. A 'grounded theory' approach was used to analyse the recurring patterns and themes explored in the data. The findings indicate that the gender based social structure of Saudi Arabia that upholds the family and its traditions acts as a socio-cultural constraint to chronically ill women with ESRF. The societal perpetuation of ideal roles of wife and mother and the imposition of rigid expectations for women conflicted with the realities of living with chronic illness that disrupted their traditional family roles and relationships, distorted their self-perception and ultimately threatened their identity. These women's increased dependence on their female relatives to provide domestic support further weakened their status within the family and eventually sabotaged their efforts to maintain normality in their life. The findings further suggest that the gender based issues arising out of socioreligious values of Saudi society regarding female dependence on their male legal guardians and male relatives had a negative impact on the economic aspect of life for Saudi women with ESRF. Since these women primarily came from a low income background, the onset of ESRF placed additional financial constraints on their resources and sources of support that further diminished their quality of life. These findings suggest that the Saudi social structure actually disabled chronically ill Saudi women from managing their everyday life. In conclusion, this study proposes policy implications that the Saudi State needs to implement in order to improve the quality of life of wom,en with ESRF and their families, such as, increased financial resources, improved dialysis facilities, and transportation services; along with home healthcare.