Quality of Life Among Children Suffering From Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

The diagnosis of a child's congenital heart disease is a stressful event for parents especially the mother who is considered to be a main caregiver for the child. Parental responses to the diagnosis of their child's congenital heart commonly include disbelief, denial anger, frustration and confusion. Mothers of the congenitally heart experience stressors which are usually multiple and ongoing as they confront stressors at the time of diagnosis and during the developmental transition. Community health nurses must be aware of the ongoing responses, needs and quality of life of the congenitally heart child and his/her mother. (www.en.wikepidia_org/wiki/congenital heart, 2015). Aim of the study: The aim of the current study was to assess quality of life among children suffering from congenital heart disease. Setting: The study was conducted at cardiopulmonary outpatient clinic of pediatrics hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospital.

Sampling: Sampling of the study involved 200 children suffering from congenital heart disease and their mothers, form both sexes, with age at birth – 4 years. Tools for data collection: Data obtained through an interview with the congenitally heart children and their accompanying mothers through using the following tools: * The first tool: • Child interviewing questionnaire was developed by investigator and it was written in simple Arabic language, it included the following: • Socio-demographic data of children include age, gender, and child rank. • Socio-demographic data of mothers and fathers include age, educational level occupation. • Environmental assessment for children living in. • Data regarding the child's medical history. • Data regarding assessing mother's knowledge about congenital heart disease, definition, causes, signs, symptoms and treatment. • Data regarding children health needs and problem