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Browsing School of Nursing by Subject "Research Subject Categories::Child Health Nursing"
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- ItemOpen AccessExperiences of caregivers of children receiving palliative care at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Malawi(2015-12-01) Chaputula, Bertha MwandidaThe number of children with life threatening and limiting illnesses requiring children palliative care is increasing each and every year. In response to the rising number of children requiring palliative care, family involvement in care giving has expanded. Caregivers play a major role in caring for children with life-limiting or threatening illnesses on palliative care at home as well as in hospital. However, for them to adequately provide the care, they require adequate support.This study reports on the caregivers’ experiences of caring for children receiving palliative care at Mzuzu Central Hospital Palliative Care Clinic. The study was aimed at exploring the caregivers’ experiences of caring for children receiving palliative care. A descriptive qualitative research method was used. The target group was caregivers of children with life threatening or limiting illnesses receiving palliative care at the clinic. A total of 30 caregivers were recruited for the study using purposive sampling technique. Qualitative data was collected using semi structured interview guide for in-depth interviews and a tape recorder while analysis was done using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that caregivers play a major role in caring for their children receiving palliative care. They provide assistance with activities of daily living and health care management in additional to their usual daily chores. The needs of the children receiving palliative care included transportation, finances, information, health care and daily needs. Family members and community members formed part of the caregivers’ support systems. Caregivers of children receiving palliative care reported facing financial, social, physical, and psychological and health service challenges. Proper assessment and availability of adequate support would positively influence the caregiver’s experiences of caregiving and the child’s quality of life. Hence, there is need to develop practical interventions that will lessen the caregivers’ challenges.
- ItemOpen AccessExploring knowledge, attitudes and practice of parents/guardians on home management of diarrhoea in children less than five years in Ekwendeni(2015-12-01) Kasonda, Esau AbrahamThis is a descriptive cross sectional study done to explore knowledge, attitude and practice of parents or guardians on home management of childhood diarrhoea. A semi structured questionnaire was used to interview parents or guardians of children less than five years old who presented to Ekwendeni Mission Hospital for the treatment of childhood diarrhoea and those who visited the underfive’s clinic for growth monitoring and immunizations. The specific objectives for the study were to assess knowledge of parents/guardians on the four basic rules of home management of childhood diarrhoea, to determine the attitude of parents/guardians on modern management of childhood diarrhoea and to find out home care practices of parents/guardians in the treatment of childhood diarrhoea before taking the child to the health facility. The study was conducted at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital in Mzimba District and the sample was drawn from parents or guardians of children aged five years or less who presented to the hospital’s outpatient department with a complaint of diarhoea and those who came to under five’s clinic for growth monitoring and immunizations. The study topic was chosen because it is one of the major concerns of the WHO in the reduction of deaths among children under the age of 5 years since diarrhoea accounts to 16% of all childhood death worldwide (WHO, 2010). Children from developing countries (including Malawi) are the worst hit as diarrhoeal diseases account for an estimated 17.5-21% of causes of death in children less than five years of age (WHO, 2010). However, a few studies have explored issues related knowledge, attitude and practice on management of childhood diarrhoea in Malawi. In addition, the results from the demographic and health surveys in Malawi do not give adequate information on the four rules of managing diarrhoea in children at home. This means that these demographic survey reports do not provide clear evidence on people’s attitude towards modern treatment of diarrhoea. Information from the current study will enable health workers to determine whether information given to parents and guardians on home management of childhood diarrhoea is adequate and if the information given has any impact on the home care practices in the communities. Two sampling methods were used in the selection of participants in this study. A consecutive sampling technique was used in selection of parents or guardians of children with diarrhoea and a random sampling technique was used to select parents or guardians of children who attended the underfive’s clinic at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital. A total of 327 parents or guardians were interviewed using a carefully designed semi structured questionnaire. Among the 327 respondents, 100 (30.6%) were parents/guardians of children who presented with diarrhoea at the time of data collection. Two data collectors administered a questionnaire to respondents at the hospital’s outpatient department from 12th December 2013 to 14th February 2014. Data was coded manually and entered into the computer. Analysis was done using Epi info version 7, a statistical package recommended for health related research. Presentation of results was done using tables and figures. The results have indicated that parents or guardians had partial knowledge about the four rules in home management of childhood diarrhoea. Knowledge about giving more fluids including oral rehydration solution (ORS) was better than knowledge about continued feeding and zinc. Most of the respondents had a positive attitude towards modern management of childhood diarrhoea but lack of resources and lack of knowledge about diarrhoea were the main barriers that affected the recommended home care practices of diarrhoea. It is recommended that health workers should give full information about diarrhoea and its management in order to improve home care practices for childhood diarrhoea.
- ItemOpen AccessParents' perceptions of available support following diagnosis of childhood cancer at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe,Malawi(2015-10-01) Gundo, BeatriceThe purpose of this study was to explore parents' perception of available support following diagnosis of childhood cancer at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. The study utilized descriptive design of quantitative research to achieve research objectives. Sixty participants participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on literature review. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data. Majority of the parents reported that there are nurses and doctors who care for their sick children. They also reported availability of information regarding children’s condition, treatment, food, spiritual support and accommodation if needed. The parents rated highly the availability of treatment (excellent, 68.4%, n=41). Majority of the parents reported that provision of accommodation was good (good, 85%, n=51) and that they are treated as an individual rather than a typical parent of cancer child (good, 100%, n=60). Parents also reported that children are not cared for holistically (e.g. mental, emotional and social needs) instead only their physical needs are met (81.7%, n=49) and all parents reported that there is poor provision of advice on how to get information or to contact other parents, organizations. In relation to treatment, parents reported poor explanation on treatment (70%, n=42), and on the types of cancer services available (80%, n=48). Majority of the parents reported that provision of spiritual support is good (76.7%, n=46) and there is adequate treatment at the facility (83.3%, n=50), however they are not provided with an opportunity to make decisions about treatment (71.7%, n=43).vi The study highlights areas of concern for practice, management, education and research relevant to paediatric oncology. Health professionals need to update themselves on peadiatric oncology through conducting research and attending research conferences on pediatric oncology. They also need to facilitate parents’ access to information and should be able to give timely, appropriate information.