Acupressure as a safe and easy method in post Management chemotherapy of nausea and Vomiting among leukemic children

One of the major problems facing the clinician dealing with cancer patient is the post chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. This study aimed to assess the effect of acupressure as a method to manage nausea and vomiting post chemotherapy in leukemic children. The study was conducted in pediatric hematology oncology unit at Tanta university hospital from May to August 2010. A convenient sample of 60 children with acute lymphoblast leukemia [ALL] was included in the study .Their ages ranged between 6-18 years. All of them were under chemotherapy. They were divided into two equal groups, group 1 [received acupressure at p 6 acupoint plus routine hospital care, group 11 as a control group [received routine hospital care only]. Visual analog scale [VAS] and Rhodes index scale [INVR] were used to assess intensity, duration and frequency of nausea and vomiting post chemotherapy. Results revealed significant reduction in the amount of vomiting and the intensity of nausea over time among acupressure group, compared to the usual-care group. Concerning child distress from nausea and vomiting, significant improvement was detected regarding the duration, seventy and distress from nausea and vomiting after one hour as well as after 2-3 hours in comparison with immediately after one hour .But no significant between after one hour and 2-3 hours . In conclusion, Acupressure at the P6 point is a value-added technique in addition to pharmaceutical management for children undergoing chemotherapy to reduce the amount and intensity of nausea and vomiting. Thus should be applied to children undergoing chemotherapy

effectiveness of home care program conducted by diabetic team of sohar hospital for diabetic children

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease, affecting approximately I in 500 children and adolescents. It is considered one of the major health problems in Oman, due to high incidence of obesity and family history. Diabetic Team plays a significant role to help those children and their families to adapt with the disease process and reduce their hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of home care program conducted by diabetic team on the adaptation of diabetic children with the disease process. The study was conducted at diabetic out patient clinic of New Sohar Hospital, North Batinah Region, Sultanate of Oman and follow up was done at their houses. A purposive sample of 21 children with IDDM and their families were included in this study. They represented all the attendants in the diabetic clinic, during the period of the study. Their age ranged between 8-12 years. All of them undergo insulin therapy. Interview questionnaire sheet and observation check list were used to collect data as pre and post intervention phase. Data were collected in different 4 phases [initial assessment, development, implementation and evaluation phases]. The results showed significant improvement in maternal management in post test, as well as diabetic children adaptation with the disease process. In Conclusion, Diabetic Team plays a prominent role in creating a positive learning atmosphere to encourage and motivate diabetic children and their families to carry out self care practices in order to promote their health, prevent complications and achieve rehabilitation

effectiveness of an educational intervention on maternal management of children with beta thalassemia

Beta thalassemia causes significant morbidity and mortality in the affected individual and a traumatic burden to other family members. Increasing the ability of the child for self care and proper maternal management, in addition to proper counseling are expected to have good impact on disease management and prevention. The purposes of this study are to identify deficits in maternal management of children with beta-thalassemia, to implement an educational intervention to help mothers to improve and increase self care capabilities and to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational intervention on mothers' knowledge, maternal management, serum ferritin level and length of hospitalization. The study was conducted at two rooms assigned to thalassemic children in the pediatric surgical ward of New Sohar Hospital. A convenient sample of 38 children with beta- thalassemia was included. Their age ranged between 6 month and 16 years; all of them undergo chelation therapy. Interview questionnaire sheet and observation checklist were used to collect data as a pre- post test to assess maternal management of desferal. Data were collected in different 4 phases: initial phase, development of educational intervention, implementation and evaluation phase. All mothers did not have any knowledge about components and function of blood at the pre test and their knowledge improved after one month in 78%, and 68.4% retained it after 3 months. Likewise, knowledge in the area of causes and prognosis of the disease has improved from 36.84% at the pretest to 94.74% immediately and after 3 month. Also mothers' knowledge about hygiene improved significantly. None of the mothers had correct knowledge before educational intervention neither about the amount of iron in the body nor about diets that increase iron absorption and only 28.9% gave correct answer about the problems of iron overload. The percentage improved significantly after educational intervention: 97.4% immediately and after 3 months. Correct answer in the pre test about when to give desferal was given by 28.9%; and their percentage improved to become 76% immediately and 71% after 3 months. At pretest, none of mothers were able to administer desferal by themselves; while immediately after intervention, 97.4% became able. However this percentage dropped to 76% after 3 months. Meanwhile, the mothers' compliance improved after the educational intervention. When comparing the reported side effects of administering desferal, 52.6% in pretest reported lump formation at the site of injection compared to only 2.6 after intervention. Mentioning abscess formation decreased from 15.7 to zero. After 3 months, none of them reported these side effects and the difference was statistically significantly. Also mothers' management of side effects of desferal had improved significantly. A marked decrease of the serum ferritin was noticed at the post test and the difference was significant than pre test. The frequency and length of hospitalization have significantly dropped after educational intervention. beta-thalassemia requires prolonged regiment of management and care. For the care to be effective, mothers and children need continuous support, understanding, and frequent interview to reinforce the positive behavior and keep refining their knowledge through educational intervention. Premarital counseling is highly needed, social and professional support is highly recommended