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Abstract: Objective: This study addresses mothers' experiences with potty training in a Vietnamese population. Subjects and methods: Forty-seven mothers were interviewed and followed from the time that their children were newborns until they were 24-months old. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: According to tradition, diapers were used only rarely. The mothers used a whistling sound at certain times to remind their children to eliminate and frequently checked for signs of need. With this process, all children used the potty by the age of 9 months. At the age of 24 months the potty training was completed, and most of the children managed the whole process independent of help. Conclusion: This study shows that it is possible to start potty training with good outcomes very early in life. The process described can be achieved through an ongoing communication between parent and child. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: To investigate if potty training from infancy can affect bladder dysfunction in boys with posterior urethral valves (PUV). Subjects and Methods: The voiding pattern and emptying ability were followed using the 4-hour voiding observation method in 17 Vietnamese boys with PUV aged 3 months to 4 years who had been potty-trained from infancy. This group was compared with a group of healthy Vietnamese boys. Results: In the boys with PUV, the bladder volume increased according to age, and interrupted voiding was rare. However, when comparing boys with PUV with healthy boys, a significant difference was noted with more frequent voidings and lower voided volumes in the age group 0 - 1 year (P < 0.001). Despite the minimum amount of residual urine, average 8 ml or less in the boys with PUV, the age groups 1 - 2 and 2 - 4 years had significantly higher residual volumes compared with those of the healthy boys (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings from the 4-hour voiding observation showed few signs of dysfunctional bladder in the Vietnamese boys with PUV, including residual urine, even if there were signs of dysfunction compared with the healthy Vietnamese boys. Potty training from infancy could favor early bladder rehabilitation in boys with PUV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family, including siblings, lives in fear of how the cancer will affect the sick child and how it will influence other family members. The aim of this article is to describe the experiences expressed by the siblings in a support group environment when their families have or have had a child diagnosed with cancer. Fifteen siblings 8 to 19 years of age with a brother or sister who was receiving treatment for or had died from cancer were interviewed after participating in therapeutic support groups. These interviews were conducted two weeks after the last group interaction and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Regardless of gender and age, the siblings felt a sense of belonging and comfort by being in a group, which they appreciated. They were able to share their experiences and help each other with advice and encouragement. They all drew strength from each other. A therapeutic support group for siblings of children with cancer is beneficial. Follow-up interviews with the siblings indicated they found the groups helpful in coping with their situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving bladder control is important for children and parents, but there is a shortage of knowledge about experiences from parents'' points of view. The aim of this study was to describe parents'' experiences of how their children achieved dryness. Twenty-two parents of 21 healthy children were interviewed about the process. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis. How children achieve dryness, as reported mainly by their mothers, seems to be influenced by knowing the time had come, implementing new daily routines, the child''s willingness, and a desire to be like others. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Title. Children’s experiences of visiting a seriously ill/injured relative on an adult intensive care unit Aim. This paper is a report of a study of children’s experiences of visiting a seriously ill/injured relative in an intensive care unit. Background. Little attention has been paid to children’s experiences and needs when visiting a relative being cared for at a high technological adult intensive care unit. Instead, the focus has been on adult’s experiences and needs. Method. In 2004, 28 children (14 girls, 14 boys) aged 4–17 years who had visited an adult relative were interviewed 3 months after the visit. A hermeneutic approach was used when interpreting and analysing the text. Findings. Four themes were generated from the data: It meant waiting, It was strange, It was white and It was good. Waiting was experienced as difficult, increasing the feeling of uncertainty, exclusion and separation, which in turn led to tension and concern. ‘It was strange’ was perceived as unfamiliar but also with interest and curiosity. The experience of the intensive care unit was that it was white. Everything in the patient’s room was experienced as white and gloomy. It lacked joy. ‘It was good’ was stated about the outcome of the visit because through this they were given the opportunity to meet and see the relative by themselves. This evoked feelings of relief and joy. The visit did not seem to frighten the child; instead it generated feelings of release and relief. Conclusion. Children’s experiences of visiting an adult intensive care unit seem to support theories that emphasize the involvement and participation of children in family matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: After clinical urotherapeutic guidance, schoolchildren suffering from functional bladder disturbances are expected to manage treatment at school. To comply with treatment instructions the children have to visit the toilet at least every 3h, find the sitting position facilitating relaxation of the pelvic floor, and then empty the bladder as completely as possible. They often blame failing to comply on their experiences of the school toilet. We describe the experiences of children treating functional bladder disturbances on schooldays. Method: The study consisted of open-ended interviews of 20 schoolchildren aged 8–14years undergoing treatment for functional bladder disturbances, and qualitative content analysis was performed. Results: Conflicting rules, a risky toilet environment and uncertainty concerning social support at school were experienced. The children had difficulty in reconciling treatment compliance with their psychological needs. They used various tricks to avoid disclosing their bladder disturbances and enabling postponement of toilet visits. Most children gave their psychological needs priority over carrying out treatment. Conclusion: The physical and social school environment was not adapted to these children''s needs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the relationship between incidence and nature of life events within families and age of bladder control acquisition in healthy children. Subjects and methods: Thirty-five parents of 36, 6-year-old children were interviewed using the Coddington life events questionnaire. Results: The children had experienced a total of 185 life events (mean 5, median 4.5, range 1–12) before the time of dryness. The most common were related to childcare/occupation of parent (51%), illness/injury/death (24%), family composition (16%) and living conditions (9%). There was a strong correlation between the number of life events and the age of dryness; the more life events and the older the child was when experiencing them, the later the child became dry. The only single event that was significantly associated with a later age of dryness was the birth of a sister or brother. In general, children had reacted positively (39%) or neutrally, but to 30% of events there was a negative reaction. There was a correlation between the reaction of the child and adaptation to the life event, and if the child had difficulty adapting to an event, that child became day dry at a later age. Conclusion: Although life events are a natural part of daily life, this study supports the conclusion that a large number of events and events to which the child has difficulty adapting can be of importance for the age of acquisition of bladder control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]