SELF-CARE IN CHINESE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Luo Zhimin

Pediatric Nursing Department, School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, China

This study was conducted to identify the level of self-care in Chinese school-age children with primary nephrotic syndrome.

A review of medical records was used to select 66 school-age children with nephrotic syndrome who had been hospitalized at least once for nephrotic syndrome and who were followed medically at the department’s of the First, Second, or Third Affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences. Medical histories were obtained by reviewing medical records. Demographic data were obtained by interviewing patients’ parents. Information about nephrotic syndrome self-care was obtained through use of a questionnaire specifically designed to assess self-care in school-age children with nephrotic syndrome. Frequencies of occurrences are reported.

The findings showed that 60 of 66 patients had high level self-care practices. By age, 83% of 6-8 year-olds, 95% of 8-10 year-olds, 10-12 year-old reported high-level self-care.

This study can help nurses to understand self-care practices of Chinese school-age children with nephrotic syndrome. The findings also can guide nurses to assess and promote self-care practices of these patients.

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