The quality of life of mothers of down syndrome children with and without hearing impairment in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia medical center

Abstract

Aims: The aim is to determine the quality of life (QOL) of mothers of Down syndrome (DS) children with hearing loss and without hearing loss. Another objective is to study the correlation of QOL of mothers of DS children with their characteristic of the social socioeconomic. Settings and Design: An experimental group of all mothers that have children with DS who were selected from The National University of Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC). Materials and Methods: Observational study using the World Health Organization QOL Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and UKMMC stress question. Statistical Analysis Used: This investigation is a descriptive-analytic study response to surveys by 151 mothers of DS children during 1 year period. Results: Eighty-three mothers (55.6%) are housewives. The mother's age ranged from 28 to 61 years, with a mean of 43 years. The QOL was described as “satisfactory” by 60% of the mothers. The following WOHQOL-BREF scores were found: Social (72.54); physical (71.27); environmental (69.21); and psychological (63.25). Of the 151 DS children, 87 (57.6%) children have a hearing impairment. The QOL was similar between mothers with DS children with and without hearing impairment. Conclusions: About two-thirds of mothers with DS children have a satisfactory level of QOL. The psychological domain has the lowest score in the QOL assessment, which suggested that mothers of DS require psychological support. The study also demonstrated no significant different QOL and stress level and hearing impairment was not a predictor of stress.