Tempering – key in fighting acute respiratory infections in childhood

Information for nursing staff, 2024, 56(4), 28-31.

K. Ivanova, E. Dimitrova, T. Petkova

Faculty of Health Care, “Nursing Therapeutic Care”, MU – Pleven

Abstract. The period of early childhood is characterized by intensive physical and neuropsychological development, weakness and easy susceptibility to various diseases. The frequent illness of children in kindergarten from acute respiratory infections is a serious problem for parents, staff and the children themselves. The aim of the project is to reduce the absence of children due to acute respiratory diseases by 10% for a period of 9 months, by conducting a health-educational program on the problems of hardening with the parents of 20 children attending kindergarten. Materials and Methods: Documentary method is used – the children’s medical documentation is studied. Observation is performed with clear observation of children’s behavior regarding the development of hygiene habits. Interview in the form of a semi-structured interview with the parents of the children participating in the project is performed. Structured interviews with the nurses are performed. Statistical methods: Survey data are processed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results: The project will be implemented in the “Radost” kindergarten in the city of Lovech in the period from October 2024 to May 2025. To date, step 1 of the project is being carried out – informing the children’s parents, obtaining informed consent from them for their participation in the project, primary research of the medical documentation, etc. Conclusion: The eff ectiveness of the project will be evaluated on the basis of a comparative
analysis of the medical documentation, taking into account the absence due to acute respiratory infections of the children in the nursery before and after the implementation of the program for a 9-month period.

Key words: hardening, early childhood, respiratory diseases

Address for correspondence: Kristina Krasimirova Ivanova, e-mail: kristina.ivanovaaa03@gmail.com