Assessment The Psychological Condition of Children Having Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Ramadan Mohamed, Safa; Salah Eldin Ibrahim Al-Rafay, Safy; El-Sayed Hassan Mohamed, Salma; Mohamed Elshafi, Taghred

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.385222

Assessment The Psychological Condition of Children Having Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Accredited Provider Program Director at Children Cancer Hospital 57357, Cairo, Egypt.

² Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

³ Professors & Head of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azher University

10.21608/ejhc.2024.385222

Abstract

Background: A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, stress and depression. Aim: to assess the psychological condition of children having acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Design: Descriptive exploratory design. Settings: This study conducted at the In-Patient Pediatric Hematology Oncology Departments Children's Cancer Hospital Foundation- Egypt, Cairo (57357). Sampling: A purposive sample comprised of 100 children suffering from ALL undergoing chemotherapy. Tools: Part 1: An interviewing questionnaire to assess children sociodemographic. Part 2: Psychological assessment scale for children to assess (1) depression (2) anxiety (3) stress. Results: This study revealed that more than third of studied children were in the age range 6-<10 years while more than two thirds of children were males., more than third of studied children had moderate depression, while less than quarter of studied children had severe depression. Conclusion: from the findings of the current study it can be concluded that the anxiety, depression and stress of the majority of studied children were affected by cancer and chemotherapy. Recommendation: Design psychological assessment sheet regarding stress, anxiety and depression assessment among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and being a routine for nurses to apply.

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