Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Frenn, Marilyn
Second Advisor
McShane, Ruth
Third Advisor
Haglund, Kristin
Abstract
Constipation and encopresis are common in childhood. At least 3% of all visits to a pediatric practice and 25% of all visits to a pediatric gastroenterology clinic are for constipation and encopresis (Abi-Hanna & Lake, 1998). Studies have found that over 50% of childhood constipation persists three to five years after medical intervention (Bernard-Bonnin, Haley, Belanger & Nadeau, 1993). The purpose of this study was to discover if constipation and encopresis affect the quality of life of these children and their families and if an intervention by a pediatric nurse practitioner, who specializes in the treatment of constipation, would improve the child's quality of life. Twenty-five subjects age two through five years were recruited from children presenting for care in a constipation clinic. Multiple descriptive methods were used to explore the phenomena of the quality of life of constipated preschool children and there families. These methods included a quality of Life measure, a qualitative interview using specific interview questions, observations of the parent and child during the encounter and the usual data collected in a clinic visit. The quality of life measure was repeated six to eight weeks after the initial assessment to determine if the child's quality of life improved after treatment by specialized pediatric nurse practitioners. The significant findings of this study included: (1) improvement on the child's quality of life scores after one intervention by a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in the treatment of childhood constipation, (2) parental worry was correlated with lower quality of life scores on the pretest, (3) childhood constipation and encopresis placed a significant physical, Social and emotional burden on the child and the child's family.
Recommended Citation
Kinservik, Margo A., "An Assessment of the Quality of Life of Toddler and Preschool Children with Chronic Constipation and the Impact on the Family" (2004). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3387.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3387