Quality of Life for Children Suffering from Chronic Renal Problems An Assessment Study

Background :Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem worldwide with
increasing incidence and prevalence that is threatening to bring on the onset of a real ‘epidemic’
Aim of the study: was to assess the quality of life for children suffering from chronic renal
problems. Setting: The study was conducted at both in and out patient departments/ pediatric
hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University hospitals. Sample size: The study sample included all
available children (154) suffering from confirmed chronic renal problems since 6 months,
attending the previously mentioned setting over six months period and satisfying predetermined
inclusion criteria (children aged 4-18years old, both genders) with exclusion of children suffering
from other chronic illnesses either medical or mental). Tools of data collection: 1-A pre
designed questionnaire sheet that was developed by the researcher it consiste of 2 parts; Part I; it
concerned with sociodemographic characteristics, Part II: it concerned with data related to studied
sample knowledge parents and their children, 2-Quality of Life Inventory Scale (QOL): Quality
of life inventory scale used to determine the level of quality of life for children suffering from
chronic renal problems. Results: More than half of the studied sample had a negative level of
physical domain of quality of life, less than half of them hadanegative level of psychological
domain of QOL and more than one third of them had positive level of social domain of QOL and
less than half of them had a positive level of communication domain of quality of life.
Conclusion: Quality of life for children suffering from chronic kidney diseases was affected in
all domains especially of physical and school domains. There are many factors related to
characteristic of children, health condition, physical status, psychological status, social status,
environmental condition and the current health services that affect the quality of life of children
suffering from chronic kidney diseases. Recommendation: Emphasize the importance of early
case finding, control and management and regular assessment of factors affecting the quality of
life for chronic kidney diseases in children.