SIGNIFICANT FACTOR ON SELF-CARE OF CHILDREN WITH THALASSEMIA

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is a significant health problem in Thailand that affects health status of Thai people, particularly in school age children.

Purpose: This study aims to examine factors of self-care in children with Thalassemia.
Research design: Descriptive design was used in this research.

Method: Purposive sampling was used in this study. Study sample was 15 school age children, 6-12 years old who visit pediatric ward of Pha-putthabat hospital for taking blood exam. Data was collected by using demographic questionnaire, and knowledge and self- care for Thalassemia questionnaire. Study data was analyzed using descriptive statistic and Pearson’s product moment correlation.

Results: The result showed as follow: 1) Child factors that affected self-care of a child with Thalassemia include age, sex, and education. Caregiver factors that affected levels of self-care of a child with Thalassemia was age, education, income, and marital status. Other factors that affect self-care of a child with Thalassemia include family characteristic, communication, and period of child perception about the disease, and 2) There were statistically significantly correlations between child factors (age, and education), caregiver factors (education), and other factors (family characteristic, and communication) and levels of self-care of child with Thalassemia (p≤ .01- .05).

Implications: Formal and informal communication among child with Thalassemia, health care provider, relatives, and other people can affect both self-care of child, and treatment of these patients. Significant disadvantage of unsuitable communication is the effect on psychology of child that results in health status. Therefore, nurses should practice skill to communicate with Thalassemia child for enhance levels of effective of care and self-care of the patient.