Health Needs and Problems among Children Post Bone Marrow Transplantation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Nursing – Mansoura University

2 Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Post the transplantation; children report high levels of somatic distress, mood disturbance, nausea and pain, and fatigue and malaise. In the first 4–6 months post BMT, children are still susceptible to infections and need to live with restrictions. Aim: This study aim was to assess health needs and problems among children post bone marrow transplantation. Design: Descriptive research design was utilized in this study. Setting: The outpatient clinic at Naser Institute- Egypt, this unit considered the biggest unit for BMT in Egypt. Sample: all children had BMT at 2015 which equal 72 children after discharge from BMT until one year. Tools: : Interviewing questionnaire consist of: children and caregivers socio-demographic characteristic, caregivers‟ general knowledge and practice about bone marrow transplantation, child health needs and problems post bone marrow transplantation. Results: Regarding child needs post bone marrow transplantation, near to half of them achieved their needs post bone marrow transplantation regarding safety and security at school followed by more than one third of them achieved their needs regarding personal hygiene then nutritional pattern and sleep pattern. Regarding children present health problems, near to one fifth of children have urinary system problems followed by digestive systems and skin problems, and then the minority them have cardiovascular system and behavioral and psychological problems. Conclusion: more than two third of the caregiver's have satisfactory knowledge level about bone marrow transplantation, all of them caring their children by correctly practices, the vast majority of the caregivers‟ have a good compliance toward follow-up system with the medical team, and there was no a statistically significant difference between caregiver's knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics of the caregivers except number of children in the family. Recommendation: Carrying out rehabilitation program for the patients and their caregivers to be performed properly during the rehabilitation period.

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