Self Care Model: Effects On Quality of Life of Children With Sickle Cell Disease and Their Parents

Abstract

Self-care is a universal requirement for sustaining and enhancing life and health. Competence in self-care determines quality of life and has an impact on longevity. In response to the desperate need for quality health care for sickle cell children, the researchers developed the self-care model aiming to determine the effect of self-care model on Quality Of Life (QOL) of sickle cell children. A sample of convenience of 89 sickled children were recruited from the Out Patient Oncology Clinic in Ain Shams Children Hospital. The tools used were pre/post interviewing questionnaire, 5 observation checklist, self-care model format, quality of life scale, children medical record and parents/children guidance booklets. Both children and their parents participated in 10 groups and self care sessions were given to them followed by discussions about the problems facing them at home. The study documented that there is highly significant effects of self care model on children quality of life and there is a highly association between self care practice and improvement of quality of life. The study concluded that children highly independent in self care had excellent health status and optimal quality of life.