Objective:The majority of problems and symptoms occur in the gastrointestinal system in children with cancer. Parents have difficulty in coping with the nutritional problems and changing routines of children and need support in this respect. This study aimed to assess the nutritional problems of children with cancer and the information needs of their parents.Methods:This descriptive study was performed among children with cancer aged 3–18 years and their parents (n = 69). The data were collected through a data collection form developed by the researchers based on the literature.Results:The most prominent nutritional problems experienced by children were loss of appetite (85.5%), nausea (84.1%), vomiting (81.2%), fatigue (79.7%), and mucositis (66.7%). According to the parents, the factors causing these nutritional problems in children were physiological factors (100%) and the foods given to children in the hospital (65.2%). The parents mostly needed information about food–drug interactions (58.0%), food–disease interactions (52.2%), foods that children with neutropenia should avoid or should eat (neutropenic diet) (46.4%), and frequency of nutritional intake (36.2%).Conclusions:This study has shown that most children experience at least one nutritional problem, and the parents need comprehensive and regular information about nutrition. Pediatric oncology nurses have a significant responsibility in the evaluation, education, and monitoring of these children.
Significant physical and psychosocial problems and related symptoms are observed in cancer survivors after treatment as well as during the treatment period. This study was aimed to assess problems and symptoms in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) survivors. Study was applied in three hospitals in Ankara/Turkey with 91 children who were diagnosed and treated with ALL and with their family. Data were collected using the data collection form developed by the researchers. The variables were investigated using the Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test. The most common physical problems and symptoms seen in survivors are respiratory system infections (40.7%), reduction in bone mineral density (26.4%), exercise intolerance (45.1%), pain (41.8%) and fatigue (29.7%). Among the most frequent social problems experienced, educational problems (19.8%) is indicated. In children carrying increased duration of therapy, urinary system infections (p = .016), anorexia (0.020) and pain (p = .007) rates are increasing. Many problems and symptoms related to disease and treatment in survivors of ALL have been realised. Therefore, planning and implementation of nursing interventions required to sustaining and developing survivor's health status are important.
BackgroundIn addition to increased survivorship in childhood leukemia, a small but significant number of survivors experience psychosocial challenges that affect their health-related quality of life (QOL) that require interventions to address these challenges.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the technology-based, psychosocial education and counseling program on survivors’ QOL, self-efficacy, and coping skills within the scope of a health promotion model for adolescent survivors of childhood leukemia.MethodsThe randomized controlled trial was conducted with adolescent survivors of childhood leukemia who were between the ages of 12 and 18 and had completed treatment at least 2 years previously. Survivors were randomized to a technology-based intervention (n = 24) or a control group (n = 31). Survivors’ QOL, self-efficacy, and coping skills were measured at 4 time points (baseline, postintervention, 1 month postintervention, and 3 months postintervention).ResultsThe 3-month postintervention QOL total and psychosocial subscale scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < .05). In addition, the emotional self-efficacy subscale scores and the active coping scores of the intervention group adolescents were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < .05). Negative coping scores were lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P < .05).ConclusionTechnology-based, psychosocial counseling and education positively affects the QOL, emotional self-efficacy, and coping skills of adolescent survivors of childhood leukemia.Implications for PracticeThis program could be integrated into follow-up care and used as one of the support methods in providing and maintaining long-term follow-up care by pediatric oncology nurses.
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