The Effect of Empowerment Program for Mothers on Improving the Quality of Life for their Children with Thalassemia

Abstract

Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide. Therefore, it is a major public health problem causing highest morbidity and mortality rate. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the effect of empowerment program for mothers on improving quality of life for their children with thalassemia. Design: A quasi-experimental research design (one group pre-post test was used). Setting: The study was conducted atin patient pediatric department of children’s Hospital affiliated to Fayoum University Hospital. Sample: non-probability purposive sampling technique that was consisted of 70mothersand their children with confirmed diagnosis of thalassemia at previously mentioned setting. Tools: Five tools were used pre /post empowerment program: IA structured interviewing questionnaire II: Observational checklist. III:  Pediatric quality of life inventory version 4.0.IV: Family empowerment. V: Empowerment program. Results: This study noted that, there was a highly statistical significant difference in relation to the total level of quality of life of the studied children pre/post intervention with p=0.001.There was a highly statistical significant difference in relation to the total level of empowerment of the studied mothers pre/ post intervention with p=0.001. There was highly statistically significance positive correlation between total knowledge, total practice, empowerment and total QOL with p=<0.001respectively pre and post. Conclusion: The current study concluded that, the quality of life for children with thalassemia improved after implementing an empowerment program than before. Recommendations: The study recommended that, frequent empowerment programs for mothers having children with thalassemia to increase awareness of public health.