engleski

Socioeconomic status and psychosocial behaviour of schoolchildren and adolescents with congenital heart disease in Croatia

The aims of this study were: to find out about socioeconmic status of the families of the children with congenital heart disease, and to establish the influence of the disease on their physical and psychosocial behaviour in everyday life. Patients and methods: The study subjects comprised 153 children with congenital heart disease, median age 11, 92 years, 88 female (58%) and 65 male (42%). Number of 106 pts (69%) belongs to urban society and 47 pts (31%) belongs to rural society. The control group consists of 153 healthy schoolchildren and adolescents. For determination of socioeconomic status of the families we used questionnaire fulfilled by parents and for establishing the influence of the disease on physical and psychosocial behaviour we used questionnaires fulfilled by patients. Results: School achievement of chronic patients is significantly lower than of healthy children. The biggest number of patients with congenital heart disease achieved satisfactory (70% of them, D and C grades), whereas the healthy examinees achieved excellent (48%, A and B grades) and very good results (27%, , ). Also, children with congenital heart disease are statistically more likely to fail a year (than the healthy ones) (11%:0% ; , ). Their motivation is also decreased, which is shown in lower attendance of extra-curricular activities (B 44%:Z 60%, , ), as well as in the need to associate with their peers ( , ). The primary disease of chronically ill children also affects the relationships in the family. Parent-child relationship is crucial, especially mother-child relationship ( , ). Excessive protection is present in 66% in patients, and 44% among healthy children, which resulted in some personality changes - lack of independance (82%), tearfulness, sociableness and depression (60%). The family of a chronically ill child with congenital heart disease has considerably lower standard of living in 25% cases, whereas in 36% it is significanthly burdened by the disease and its treatment. Conclusion: It is necessary to change social partners relation towards children with congenital heart disease and their families. This is the only way to avoid problems of social adaptation, integration, and possibilities of further education and future employment.

congenital heart disease; socioeconomic status; psychosocial behaviour

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