Caring for a child with cancer during Covid-19 pandemic
An assessment of the parents’ perception and stress level
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22078082 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Muhamad Aizat Nawi (University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre), Sie Chong Doris Lau (0000-0002-4925-0495, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre), Shi Tying Chin (Sarawak General Hospital), Kok Hoi Teh (0000-0001-7539-1147, Hospital Kuala Lumpur), Lee Sue Betty Ho (Sarawak General Hospital), Hamidah Alias (0000-0003-3952-5368, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Pages | 1223362-1223362 |
| Publication date | 2024-04-08 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1223362 |
| PMID | 38655523 |
| OpenAlex | W4394575299 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 21 |
Background The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has led to heightened fear and uncertainty among parents of children with cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the parental perceptions toward effects of COVID-19 infection to children with cancer, determine their stress level and factors contributing to high stress level during the pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in three paediatric oncology centres in Malaysia from September 2020 until December 2022. A total of 167 parents were recruited. Parents completed a set of questionnaires to assess their perception on effect of COVID-19 infection to children with cancer and COVID Stress Scale (CSS) to assess the parents’ stress level. Results Patients’ mean age at study entry was 8.75 years (SD 4.38). Ninety-one (54.5%) patients were still on active treatment. More than 80% of the parents obtained information regarding COVID-19 infection from mass media and social networking. Fear of their children contracting COVID-19 infection was high especially among patients who were still on treatment. Forty-nine (29.3%) parents were significantly affected by the pandemic leading to loss of job or monthly income. Twenty-nine (17.4%) patients required treatment modification during the pandemic. The median total score for CSS was 78.0 (IQR 25 th 64.0; 75 th 95.0). Ninety-one (54.5%) respondents were very/extremely stressed based on the CSS scores. Components with high scores were xenophobia (median score 18.0; IQR 25 th 13.0, 75 th 22.0), fear of danger (median score 17.0; IQR 25 th 14.0, 75 th 20.0) and contamination fears (median score 16.0; IQR 25 th 12.0, 75 th 19.0). Lower household income was associated with higher stress level ( p = 0.006). Conclusion Our study demonstrated high awareness regarding risk of COVID-19 infection among parents of oncology children. Half of the parents had high stress level, with low household income identified as a factor associated with high stress level
Cross-sectional study · Disease · Family medicine · Pandemic · Pathology · Perceived Stress Scale · Perception · Young adult · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Psychology · Internal Medicine
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |