Quality of Life among Children Suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Aim of the study: was to assess the quality of life among children suffering from chronic kidney disease. Research design: A descriptive design was used in this study. Setting: This study was conducted in the pediatric nephrology clinic, and the pediatric conservative nephrology clinic of the pediatric dialysis unit at Ain Shams University Children Hospital. Sampling: A Purposive sample, 164 children with their mothers. The criteria of sample: - the inclusion criteria included all available children with age 4-12 years old, both gender and their mothers. Tools of data collection: The first tool:- A questionnaire tool included the following Socio-demographic data of children, Socio-demographic data of mothers and fathers, environmental assessment for children living in. Assessment of mother's knowledge about CKD, and assessment of mother's practice related to children health needs and problem related to CKD by mother's role towards the needs and problem. The second tool: - Quality of life inventory scale was constructed to assess level of quality of life for children with chronic kidney disease. The third tool: Children medical record to assess health status of children. Results: As regards characteristics of the studied children it was found that 41.5% of the studied children were in age from 4<6 year, and 59.8% of the studied children were males, and that 68.9% of the studied sample had a positive level of physical domain of quality of life, that there was a highly statistical significant relation (p<0.001) between total knowledge and total QOL. Conclusion: - In conclusion the finding of this study revealed that 41.5% of the studied t of children age was ranged from 4<6years, Indeed less than half of mothers had unsatisfactory total knowledge, and uncorrected total practice. Most of the children were low weight, and the majority were suffering from loss of appetite. There was statistical significant relation between mothers' age, educational level, and their total practice. Represent that there was a highly statistical significant relation (P<0.001) between total knowledge and total QOL. And clarifies that was highly statistical significant relation between total knowledge and total practice. Recommendations: Educational training programs to children with CKD and their mother to update their knowledge and practice. Effort should be made to reduce the CKD complications among children through adopting a national strategies and plans of CKD prevention, care and control.