Children and adolescents on hemodialysis: Attributes associated with quality of life

Abstract

Objective: To identify quality of life impacting attributes related to health of children and adolescents with chronic renal failure, on hemodialysis, as initial step to build the specific module DISABKIDS®. Method: An Exploratory descriptive study, with qualitative approach, with data collected between August of 2011 to March of 2013, through focus group analysis, with 42 participants between 8 and 18 years, their parents and caregivers. The data analysis was conducted following the thematic content, using the program Qualitative Data Analysis Software. Results: Seven themes were identified: water and food restrictions, limitations imposed by the treatment, time dedicated to treatment, change in body image related to the vascular access and growth, stigma, self-care and hope of kidney transplantation. Conclusion: Relevant aspects to the participants' experience regarding the disease and the treatment were apprehended, trying to understand how this process is associated to quality of life.