EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS HAVING CHILDREN WITH LEUKEMIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY FROM PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: After cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the second largest cause of death worldwide and a serious issue. There are many different kinds of cancer, but leukaemia is one of the more common forms in children that has a significant impact on the patients as well as their families. Literature has demonstrated that leukaemia carries a heavy weight in terms of morbidity and mortality, causing physical and psychological suffering for both patients and their families.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences and coping strategies of parents in KPK Peshawar who were caring for children with leukaemia.

Methodology: The study design employed in this investigation of the experiences of parents of children with leukaemia was phenomenological. In the study, eight parents from Peshawar's public and private hospitals made up a purposive sample. Verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured, guided, in-depth interviews were made on tape.  The information was manually coded and arranged. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data.

Results: From the data that was gathered, four major themes emerged. These themes were classified as the parents' psycho-social, spiritual, or religious struggles during their course of therapy, as well as their lack of resources. The results revealed a number of illnesses, such as melancholy, worry, grief, unpleasant emotions, irrational hope, helplessness, delayed diagnosis because of financial difficulties, insufficient knowledge of the side effects of chemotherapy, and co-morbid leukaemia.

Conclusion: The study's conclusions show that parents of leukemic children encountered certain issues that needed to be successfully handled. In order to address these illnesses and issues, it is necessary to provide them with the necessary information and counselling on the true nature of the sickness, its effects, and its treatment.