Respiratory infections in children 0-5 years - A guidebook for nursing students

The most common respiratory infections included in this thesis were the common cold, influenza, pharyngitis, laryngitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, obstructive bronchitis, and ear infection (otitis media). Most of the infections included are very common which might affect children 2-3 times a year under 5 years. There are many respiratory infections which might affect children, but the infections were found in most of the research done by authors which strengthens the reliability of the sources. In nursing studies both theory and placement are equally important. As a registered nurse, nurses can work in different health sectors and pediatric nursing is one of them. Pediatric environment can be both rewarding and challenging as mentioned in this topic 0-5 years children cannot express their feelings. It is necessary to have basic knowledge about the infections while going to placement. The purpose of this thesis was to provide a guidebook for the nursing students, which describes children’s most common infections in the upper and lower respiratory tract. The aim was to help the nursing students to deepen their knowledge and to make them familiar with the respiratory infectious diseases in children aged 0-5 years. The authors used a co-creation method for guidebook development by sharing ideas with the authors peer group and focus group method is used for the data collection, guidebook evaluation and improvement of the thesis writing process and guidebook. The guidebook was produced in English language for nursing students who have not been in paediatric placement. The guidebook was created based on the theoretical framework of the thesis. The guidebook includes introductory words, common symptoms, home treatment, and when to seek treatment. The guidebook was provided to the school in PDF and Word format as requested by the thesis supervisors and is attached as a PDF format in this thesis. The guidebook could be beneficial to other students, new nurses, and parents if it is further forwarded to the hospital