Effect of an Intervention Program for Caregivers of Children Suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia on their Coping Patterns

Abstract

Background: Childhood leukemia is still the second leading cause of death among children that originates in the bone marrow and responsible for producing stem cells. The nurse's role is to help children and their families to cope with the disease based on their education and its treatment. Aim of the study: was to evaluate the effect of an intervention program for caregivers of children suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) on their coping patterns. Study design: A quasi experimental study was utilized. Study settings: The study was conducted in the pediatric oncology outpatient clinics in University Ain Shams Children's Hospital and outpatient clinics in the National Cancer Institute affiliated to Cairo University. Study subjects: A purposive sample composed of 110 caregivers with their children suffering from ALL were chosen. Tools of data collection: Data were collected through using; An Interviewing Questionnaire to assess caregivers' knowledge about ALL and its treatment methods, assessment for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) of children suffering from ALL, Observation Checklists to assess caregivers reported practices regarding care of their children, and Caregivers' Coping Patterns Scale; these tools were utilized pre and post program intervention. Results of the study: The mean of children's age was 8.04±2.31 years, nearly three fourths of children were males. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post program score regarding caregivers' coping patterns towards their children suffering from ALL, Conclusion: The intervention program had a positive effect on improving knowledge, practices and coping patterns of caregivers of the studied children toward their children disease and its related management problems. Recommendations: Continuous health education programs for caregivers and their children suffering from ALL at the out-patient clinics to improve their knowledge, practices and coping patterns with the disease and its related management problems.