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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