Prevalence of Leukemia among Children and Guidelines for Parents on Leukemia - A Systemic Approach

Children are a unique population to care for because the decision about their management affects not only the children but also the entire parental unit and require amount of sensitivity. This study aims to provide guidelines to the parents of children with leukemia under the age of 19 years. Method: A quasi experimental research approach with non-equivalent control group design was adopted and a sample of 60 relatives of patients admitted in leukemic units of Safdarjang Hospital, Delhi were selected for the study. Result: In experimental group maximum 16 (53.3 %) of the respondents were having ALL, followed by 12 (4 %) AML, and a few 2 (6.6 %) had CML. In control group 18 (60) % were having ALL followed by 9 (33 %) % AML and a few 3 (7 %) were having CML. Conclusion: Parents of children with leukemia had high learning need and high desire to learn. The maximum numbers of children suffering from leukemia were male and maximum of the children were diagnosed as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.