Impact of Congenital Heart Disease upon Children Physical Growth Pattern in Cardiac Center-Erbil/ Kurdistan Region/Iraq

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to assess the impact of congenital heart disease upon children's physical growth pattern with some variables in Surgical Specialty Hospital/ Cardiac Center in Erbil/Kurdistan Region/Iraq.

Methodology: A descriptive correlation study was conducted in Surgical Specialty Hospital/ Cardiac Center in Erbil/Kurdistan Region/Iraq in first of March 2010 to the end of September 2011. A purposive sample of (200) children with congenital heart disease were selected. The tool is consisting of three parts questionnaire format Socio-demographical characteristic, medical data of children, and tool and physical growth measurement questions. The validity of the study questionnaire was determined initially through a panel of (21) experts. Determination. Data were collected by the mothers' interview and the data were analyzed through using by Excel and SPSS version 17 programmed.

Results: The present study indicated that the most of children (51.5%) were male, (59%) were coming of urban areas, (39%) were living in Hawler Governorate, (51.5%) were of low socioeconomic status, and (51.5%) was diagnosis before three years. The findings of the study indicate that the Congenital Heart Disease had been affect growth pattern and there is a statistically significant association between socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, residential area, and severity of disease) and their growth pattern.

Conclusion: The study indicated that there is a high significant association between the children socio demographic data and growth pattern.

Recommendation: 1- Mass media, TV and radio, lectures in different community associations or in health centers regarding risk factor, prevention of CHD. 2- Nurses should have special training to give effective care to the children. 3- Further studies are necessary to be conducted with large sample size to improve the intervention the disease .