Anna Ovšonková*, Mária Mozolová**
* Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Medical Faculty in Martin, Department of Nursing
** Hospital and Polyclinic, Považská Bystrica
OVŠONKOVÁ, A. – MOZOLOVÁ, M. Quality of life of parents and children with diabetes mellitus type 1. In Ošetrovateľstvo: teória, výskum, vzdelávanie [online], 2012, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 143-148. Available on: https://www.osetrovatelstvo.eu/en/archive/2012-volume-2/number-4/quality-of-life-of-parents-and-children-with-diabetes-mellitus-type-1.
Aim: The aim of research was to find out the impact of the disease on quality of life in children with diabetes mellitus type 1 and in their parents.
Methods: To collect empirical data we have used standardized questionnaires – Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth Questionnaire – Short form (DQOLY – S) and Questionnaire for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Diabetes. The results were analysed using the methods of descriptive and inductive statistics.
Sample: Sample consisted of 128 respondents, 64 parents and 64 children with diabetes mellitus type 1at the age from 10 to 18 years.
Results: The overall quality of life in the subsample of children was founded to be good. The girls and boys proved to have the same level of quality of life. Children stated to be confined in diet most of all and their greatest concerns are related to complications of diabetes. The girls had bigger concerns than the boys. Higher quality of life was shown in children applying insulin by insulin pump when compared with those applying insulin by a pen. Parents, similarly to children, stated concerns of long-term health problems of their child to be the biggest burden, the lowest burden is caused by the care of their child. Most parents had evaluated the health status as well as the quality of life of their children to be good.
Conclusion: The aim of comprehensive management of diabetes therapy is to achieve the best glycaemic control of diabetes and thus to establish conditions for higher quality of life of the child and his parents. The assessment tools for evaluation of quality of life allow to identify significant impact of the disease on the everyday lives of children as well as parents.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus type 1, quality of life, childhood, burden of parents
Mgr. Anna Ovšonková, PhD.
Ústav ošetrovateľstva JLF UK
Malá Hora 5
036 01 Martin
Slovenská republika
e-mail: ovsonkova@jfmed.uniba.sk
Received: 28th September 2012
Accepted: 5th November 2012