Determinants of the Quality of Life of Caregivers of Children with Sickle Cell Disease at Siaya County Referral Hospital, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Okinyi, Joash
Githemo, Grace
Bett, Sarah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Reviewed Journal of Social Science & Humanities
Abstract
Sickle Cell Disease is a high-morbidity and early-mortality ailment if not managed and controlled properly.
Several challenges are usually experience by both the caregiver as well the family unit since the children are
usually highly dependent on them for their daily activities. This study, therefore, sought to establish the
determinants of quality of life of individuals taking care of children with SCD attending care at Siaya County
Referral Hospital, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive analytic study design. This research was theorized
by the Quality-of-Life Major Domains Model by Basavaraj et al (2010), and the WHOQOL tool for data
collection. The study population were caregivers of children suffering from SCD seeking care at the Siaya
County Referral Hospital in Kenya. Sixty (60) participants were sampled to collect the desired data. The
identification of the study participants was achieved through a convenience sampling method. Data from both
pretests and study population was analyzed using IBM’s SPSS version 25. Findings from the study indicated
that 70% of the caregivers had good quality of life; employment X
2
(1, N = 60) = 9.3, p = .002, financial
security X
2
(1, N = 60) = 7.1, p = .008, monthly income X
2
(1, N = 60) = 6.6, p = .01, acquisition of new
information X
2
(1, N = 60) = 6.5, p = .011, support from friends X
2
(1, N = 60) = 4.4, p = 0.037, ability to
get around life (X
2
(1, N = 60) = 13.6, p <0.001) and quality of sleep (X2
(1, N = 60) = 25.7, p<0.001)
impacted positively on caregivers’ quality of life. Results also indicated that frequency of hospitalization
(X
2
(1, N = 60) = 0.0510, p = .021) and frequent negative feelings (X
2
(1, N = 60) = 4.5, p = .033) impacted
negatively on the caregivers’ quality of life. Predictors of QoL included source of income, ability to acquire
new information and satisfaction with relationship. In conclusion, no association was observed between
Socio-demographic factors and QoL however there is significance association between economic and
psychosocial factors and Qol. Health education should be strengthened and incorporated in the special clinics
to provide necessary information to the caregivers. All levels of government should provide financial
empowerment to caregivers of children with chronic illnesses.
Description
Article
Keywords
Sickle Cell Disease in Children, Caregivers, Quality of Life, Hospitalization
Citation
OKINYI, J., GITHEMO, G., & BETT, S. (2023). Determinants of the quality of life of caregivers of children with sickle cell disease at Siaya County Referral Hospital, Kenya. Reviewed Journal of Social Science & Humanities, 4(1), 164-177.