Investigating the Effect of Nurse-Centered Strategies on Functional Chronic Constipation of Children aged 3-14 years Referring to Imam Reza Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2014

Functional constipation is among the most common problems of childhood. Children’s life quality is affected by constipation. In addition, constipation can bring about undesirable physical and psychic consequences. However, follow-up programs can solve the problem and assure the patient about continuing treatment.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of nurse-based approaches on functional chronic constipation in children.
This is a clinical trial study conducted from August to December 2013 in Imam Reza clinic. The sample size was 95 children who were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (47 persons) and control (48 persons). The mean age in the experimental and control groups was 6.25 ± 2.71 and 6.21 ± 2.68 years, respectively. The experimental group received a combination of nurse-centered and education program as well as conventional medical treatment while the control group received only the usual medical treatment. The data were collected using a data collecting form and bowel diary. The recovery percentage was assessed based on Rome 3 criteria in three periods of 1, 2, and 3 months after the intervention compared to before the intervention. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 software using chi square and Mc Nemar tests.
Before the intervention, the similarity of people in the study groups that is necessary for clinical trials was observed. In all variables such as constipation status, sex, weight, duration of constipation, previous therapy, and family history of constipation, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P value > 0.05). The results showed improvements in both the groups. The percentage of improvement assessed by chi square test in the intervention group was 70.2%. This percentage increased to 83% about 2 and 3 months after the intervention; in comparison with the control group, the improvement was higher by 14 and 10%, respectively (P value > 0.05).
Nurse-based clinics should be established at gastroenterology clinics to minimize the frustration of parents and children in remission and treatment discontinuation through routine follow-up of long-term treatment (either by phone or in person) that may lead a greater number of patients to achieve remission after treatment.