A Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are growing global health issue that requires long-term dialysis. For hemodialysis (HD), an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is recognized as the preferred vascular access due to its durability and lower risk of complications. However, patients are often reluctant to undergo AVF formation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the patients’ perceptions towards AVF formation in urban Pakistan. An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was used. Through purposive sampling, participants were recruited from urban hospitals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews which helped to obtain in-depth perceptions. The Data were analyzed through Content analysis. Four categories emerged from data analysis of total ten interviews: 1) Reluctance towards AVF formation, 2) Acceptance and readiness for AVF creation, 3) Recommendations for AVF formation, 4) Awareness spectrum of AVF formation. This study concludes that patients’ perceptions of AVF formation are influenced by physical, emotional, and sociocultural factors, which can lead to reluctance toward the procedure. Exploring these perceptions revealed concerns about physical discomfort, daily life impact, and trust in the healthcare system. Addressing these concerns is bases to providing patient-centered care.
