Burden of Care among Mothers Having Children with Thalassemia

Abstract

Introduction: Thalassemia, an inherited disorder is characterized by reduction in the ability of the body to synthesize hemoglobin. Though care giving is a normal parental duty, providing lifelong care to thalassemic children may increase burden among parents. The objective of this study was to find out the burden of care among mothers having thalassemic children.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 mothers attending a Thalassemia day care center in Kathmandu, Nepal. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to collect data through interview using Zarit Burden Interview scale.

Results: Findings revealed that out of 100 mothers, 19% had little or no burden, 43% had mild level of burden of care, 34% had moderate burden of care and 4% had severe burden of care. It was found that 43% of the mothers frequently felt that child is depended upon her, 20% of the mothers, frequently felt stressed from caring their children. 35% of the mothers frequently felt that money is insufficient to care for their child. Statistically significant association was found between level of burden with economic status (p=0.002) and place of residence (p=0.03).

Conclusion: The study concludes that mothers face burden of caring the child having thalassemia. Burden of care among mothers tends to be influenced by the family economic status and residence. This burden should be minimized by health personnel through proper counseling and support to mothers of thalassemic children