5. Socio-Demographic Details and Psychological Aspects of Parents of Thalassemia Major Children
Saba Haider Tarar1, Toqeer Ahmed1, Iftikhar Ahmed1, Waseem Ahmed Khan2 and Abubakar Ali Saad3
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the socio-demographic details and psychological aspects of parents of Thalassemia Major Children.
Study Design: Cross sectional / observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Thalassemia Center, Divisional Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Mirpur, AJK for a period of 09 months from February 2020 to October 2020.
Materials and Methods: Permission from Hospital Ethics Committee was taken before the study. An informed written consent was taken from parents. A questionnaire was designed that contained questions regarding demographic details as well as psychological aspects of children suffering from Thalassemia major. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23.
Results: 65 parents of children with Thalassemia Major were enrolled in this study. Out of 65 children, 34(52.3%) were male and 31(47.7%) were female children. The age of children was divided into groups, 23(35.4%) were between 1-5 years of age, 21(32.3%) in 6-10 years, 15(23.1%) in 11-15years and 06(9.20%) were more than 15 years of age. Education level of parents revealed, 8(12.3%) parents were totally illiterate, 47(72.3%) were under Matric pass, 08(12.30%) were Matric and 02(3.10%) parents were having Graduation level of education.
50(76.9%) parents reported consanguineous marriage while 15(23.10%) reported non-consanguineous marriage. Upon inquiry of parental screening, we found that 38 (58.5%) were not screened for carrier status and 27(41.50%) were screened. 37(56.90%) children were not attending any kind of school, 16(24.60%) were attending schools but with more leave days due to blood transfusions while 12(18.5%) were attending school normally. Majority of parents told that Hemoglobin should be kept between 7-8gm/dl before blood transfusion and 10gm/dl after blood transfusion. After recording demographic details, psychological aspects were explored by in depth interviews from the parents.
Conclusion: The existence of a chronic disease in a child leads to significant impact upon parents and that can predispose them to psychological disorders as well as financial problems.
Key Words: Thalassemia Major, Hemoglobin, Psychological, Pakistan
Citation of article: Tarar SH, Ahmed T, Ahmed I, Khan WA, Saad AA. Socio-Demographic Details and Psychological Aspects of Parents of Thalassemia Major Children. Med Forum 2020;31(12):21-25.