Children and adolescents on hemodialysis: attributes associated with quality of life

To identify quality of life impacting attributes related to health of children and adolescents with chronic renal failure,on hemodialysis, as initial step to build the specific module DISABKIDS®. An Exploratory descriptive study, with qualitative approach, with data collected between August of 2011 to March of 2013, through focus group analysis, with 42 participants between 8 and 18 years, their parents and caregivers. The data analysis was conducted following the thematic content, using the program Qualitative Data Analysis Software. Seven themes were identified:water and food restrictions, limitations imposed by the treatment, time dedicated to treatment, change in body image related to the vascular access and growth,stigma, self-care and hope of kidney transplantation. Relevant aspects to the participants' experience regarding the disease and the treatment were apprehended, trying to understand how this process is associated to quality of life.