Determination of the problems and their causes experienced in families of children with burns after discharge

Objective: This study aims to determine post-discharge problems of burned children's families and their causes. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was performed. Study sample included families of 162 burned children admitted to Ege University Pediatric Surgery Clinic between 15.01-15.05.2015. Data were collected using child/family information form developed according to literature, information form for families' post-discharge problems and State Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software. Numerical, percentage and average values were used in data evaluation for socio-demographic, burn characteristics and for problems and causes. Socio-demographic, burn characteristics and problems were shown with chi-square test. Test of significance for differences between two means was applied to show families' problems and state anxiety level. Results: In the study, 54.3% of children were male and 70.4% of them had hot water burns. It was determined that 72.8% of them had 1-10% burnt body surface area, and 46.3% had second-degree superficial burns. Families' post-discharge state anxiety score was 47.03±7.48. After discharge, families had problems with bathing, social communication, wearing, using medicines, doing exercises, nutrition and dressing respectively by 81.5%, 77.8%, 63.0%, 61.7%, 54.3%, 40.7% and 34.6%. Conclusion: Statistically meaningful conclusion was found between age, educational level and profession of mothers and post-discharge dressing; fathers' profession and doing exercises; educational level and using medicines and dressing; cities of residence and using medicines; total body surface area and receiving education-consultancy. Regarding post-discharge problems, families are recommended to have periodical home care visits by nurses or to do phone counseling from nurses.