title: Determine the difficulties of home care in children following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties regarding the home care of children following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The sample of the study includes the families of 73 children in a bone marrow transplant unit between 2010 and 2013, Turkey. Data were collected using a form included descriptive information and questions about the difficulties and complications of home care. Families were telephoned and problems they had encountered were recorded. Mann-Whitney U-test and the logistic regression analysis were used. The average age of the children was 10.65 ± 5.03 years, the average age was 8.89 ± 4.9 when HSCT was performed, and the average year after HSCT was 1.79 ± 0.74. 41.1% of the children underwent transplantation with diagnoses of anaemia. Primary physical problems that were found after discharge from the hospital were fever (43.8%), decreased appetite (37%), rash (34.2%) and pain (26%). Socially, 43.8% of families reported that their children had difficulties with school. Primary difficulties regarding care and follow-up were reported as skin care (34.2%) and catheter care (33.3%). In the post-transplantation period, it is important to provide information about potential problems and care to patients and families in order to increase the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Faculty Nursing Department, Gazi University Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kılıcarslan Toruner
authors.affiliation: Faculty Nursing Department, Gazi University Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Ankara Child Health and Illness Hematology-Oncology Education Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kisecik
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: child; home care; stem cell transplantation