Quality of Life in Parent of Children with Leukemia and its Related Factors

Abstract

Abstract Background & Aims : Leukemia as the most common childhood cancer, not only for children, has created a serious challenge for the whole family, especially parents, it could change their quality of life. This study aimed to examine quality of life of parents of children with leukemia and related factors. Material & Methods : This was a descriptive study in 2012 on parents of 200 children with leukemia referred to the hospital affiliate d to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, selected by consecutive sampling. Data were collected using the Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer Persian (CQOLC-P) and demographic questionnaires of parents and children with 1 to 15 years old. Outcomes analyzed using descriptive statistics (independent t -test, ANOVA and linear regression) in SPSS- PC version 16. Results: The results showed that the mean of quality of life of subjects is less than 50% of total score of quality of life . Furthermore, there was significant relationship between gender, income job status and quality of life (p ≤0.05) . Discussion and Conclusion: According to the finding, inappropriat e quality of life of parents of children with leukemia, education of parent about way of care of child and recognizing their problem for specific guidance for dealing and coping with the situation are essential. Received: 6 March 2013 Accepted: 28 May 2013

Keywords

• quality of life
• parents
• children
• leukemia