Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study was conducted in order to determine factors affecting quality of life in children and adolescents with Beta-Thalassemia

METHODS

The data of the research, type of which was descriptive, was conducted in thalassemia centers in Aegean region and from which permission could be taken. No sample selection was made and the plan was to incorporate all voluntary children and adolescents with thalassemia aged between 8 and 18 to the scope of the study and the study was conducted with totally 98 participants.

Data was collected by face to face interview technique with the help of informative form for children and adolescents with thalassemia and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0. Independent t test was applied for determining the relation between variables.

RESULTS

50% of the participants were in 8-12 age group while the remaining 50% were in 13-18 age group. The study was conducted with equal number of boy and girl participants. No significant relation could be determined between quality of life score averages of children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia and their age of diagnosis, transfusion frequency, hb and ferritin values, their possible problems with endocryne, hearing, heart and mouth - teeth health. A significant difference was determined between quality of life score averages of participants and their status of absence in school and having education about sickness.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The qualitiy of life of children and adolescents having education about sickness from a health personnel and having no absence in school are better.