Parents' Perception regarding their Children Suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Nasser Institute Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a common cancer and life-threatening malignancy affects children health physically, psychologically and socially wellbeing over the world. Aim of the study: To assess parents' perception regarding their children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Nasser Institute hospital. Setting: the study was carried out at pediatric cancer outpatient clinic at Nasser institute hospital. Sample: Convenience sample compromised 179 parents' had children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tool: A structured interview questionnaire consists of 4 parts Demographic characteristic of parents' and child, child medical history, parents' knowledge regarding acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Parents' reported practices regarding care of their children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Results: 44.1 % of the studied parents had poor total knowledge, 31.8% of parents had fair level of knowledge regarding acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Also 58.2% of the studied parents had inadequate level of total reported practices, while 41.8% of parents had adequate level of practices regarding care of acute lymphoblastic leukemia child. Conclusion: More than two fifths of studied parents had poor total knowledge regarding acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Also more than half of the studied parents had inadequate total level of reported practices regarding care of their children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, there was a significant statistical positive correlation between total level of knowledge and total level of practices among the studied parents. Recommendation: Develop and implement health educational program to increase awareness of parents about acute lymphoblastic leukemia.