Life Quality of Mothers of Children with Leukemia and its Related Factors

Background: Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in childhood. Mothers are closer to these children than anyone else and play a very important role in caring for them; therefore studying their life quality is needed. This study aims to determine the life quality of mothers of children with leukemia and its related factors.   Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2017. A total of 150 mothers of children with leukemia referring to the blood clinic and hematologic ward of Tabriz Children's Hospital were recruited by convenient sampling method. Data were collected by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (HOQOL_BREF) and analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient   using SPSS software version 20.     Results: The mean score of the mothers' total quality of life was 68.28 ± 19.77.   The educational level and occupational status of the mothers and their age were significantly associated with their life quality (P <0.05). Also there was significant relationship between the mothers' quality of life  and parents’ income, family collaboration, satisfaction with their social status and satisfaction with marital life (p=0001). Conclusion: Mothers of children with leukemia have low quality of life and some of their socio-demographic factors could have a significant effect on their life quality. Therefore, it is suggested that nurse managers introduce vulnerable families to supportive organizations by appropriate planning. It is also suggested that authorities by adopting appropriate policies increase the level of general knowledge on marital affairs.