Evaluate the effect of self care strategy on quality of life of children with thalassemia major

Abstract

Thalassemia major is a common genetic blood disorder, especially prevalent in India, where over 30 million carriers exist and 10,000 new cases arise annually. Children with beta-thalassemia major suffer from severe health issues like growth retardation, organ damage, and psychological challenges, severely impacting their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a self-care strategy on QoL among children aged 8 to 18 years with thalassemia major. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 120 children were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The SF-36 tool assessed health-related QoL before and after the intervention. Initial results showed poor QoL scores in both groups. After implementing the self-care strategy, the experimental group exhibited significant improvement in overall QoL (from 68.04 to 80.18), while the control group showed no notable change. Statistical tests confirmed the intervention s effectiveness. QoL scores also correlated significantly with demographic factors like gender and family income. Strong positive relationships were observed between physical and mental health domains and overall QoL. The study concludes that self-care strategies significantly enhance the physical, emotional, and social functioning of children with thalassemia major, indicating a promising approach to improving their overall well-being. newline