Psychological Burdens and Challenges among Parents of Children Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: A cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment have significant physical and psychological impacts on both the child and family members. Cancer is recorded as the second leading cause of death in the United States and the third in Iran, further intensifying the situation. Along with emotional and physical challenges, families also face substantial financial burdens to cover the costs of treatment and care. Methodology: This descriptive study used a non-probability sample of 95 families with a child undergoing chemotherapy, conducted from October 9, 2023, to April 10, 2024, at the AL-Najaf Health Directorate / National Oncology Teaching Hospital. The research tool assessed psychological burdens through interviews with one or both parents. Findings revealed that 73.91% of parents experienced moderate burden levels. Contributing factors to higher burden included extended caregiving duration, late-stage diagnosis, multiple chemotherapy courses, large extended family, financial challenges, and high anxiety and depression. The study concluded that most child patients suffered from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, with parents experiencing moderate psychological burdens.

Methodology

Study Design

A descriptive study was carried out through the present study in order to achieve the early stated objectives. The study was beginning from October, 9th, 2023 to April, 10th, 2024.

Setting of the study: The study was conducted in the city of Najaf Al-Ashraf/Najaf Health Directorate/National Oncology Teaching Hospital.

The study sample: A convenience sample of (97) parents having children undergone chemotherapy

The Study Instrument: The research tool was used to assess the psychological burdens of families of children who underwent chemotherapy. It consists of two parts, Part One: A: Demographic data for the parents, including (age, gender, level of education, profession, number of children, monthly income, family type, and Family history).

Part One: B: Demographic data for the child, including (age, gender, sequence of the child in the family, type of disease, duration of care, stage of discovery of the disease, number of chemotherapy cycle

Part Two: This part consists of 23 questions to assess the psychological burdens and Challenges of the parents, which is measured on a three-point scale (Always, sometimes, never).

Data collection: Data were collected on a performance system specially designed for this study and using a structured interview technique with one or both parents who were interviewed at the National Oncology Teaching Hospital using the Arabic version of the questionnaire. The data collection process started from February 2024 to March 2024

Statistical analysis: Descriptive data analysis involves the following: Frequency and percentage tables, mean of score. Inferential data analysis: ANOVA: Repeated measures of ANOVA were used to find the relationship between socio-demographics and complications.