Mother’s coping strategies in caring for their children with leukemia in Al-Basrah Province/ Iraq

Abstract

Background: Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells that affects people of all ages. In the spleen, bone marrow, and lymph tissue, immature WBCs (blast cells) proliferate at a rapid rate. The cells are aberrant and unable to combat infection efficiently. As a result of the large number of aberrant cells that grow and are released into the peripheral circulation, they tend to concentrate in bodily tissues and organs, especially when circulation is slow. Objectives: to assess coping strategies among mothers of children with leukemia in Al-Basrah province and find out the association between coping strategies and demographic characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study consisting of (105) mothers who have children under eighteen years were selected in oncology & hematology clinic and leukemia ward (B) were interviewed at Al.Basrah children specialist hospital from 9 July 2021 to 20 October 2021. Result: the mostly of (89.5%) mother’s coping strategies of children with leukemia expressed moderate coping Conclusion: The study concluded that the overall assessment of mother’s coping strategies of children with leukemia is moderate coping