Comparative Study of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Children and Adolescents of Lahore Suffering from Thalassemia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the level of stress, anxiety and depression in patient of different age group of children and adolescent.

Methodology: This was a comparative cross sectional study. Sample of children & adolescents of 4-17 years of age were included in this study. Tool for data collection was a standardized and validated questionnaire depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS).

Result: Total385 patients with thalassemia were observed in the study, out of which 168 (43.6%) were girls and 217 (58.36%) were boys. This included 235 (61.03%) children and 150 (38.96%) adolescent. Chi-square value of depression, anxiety and stress is 0.125, (1.523) and (2.925) respectively. More than a half of the studied children 134(57%) had normal level of depression. The majority of studied children patients 103(43.8%)had extremely severe level of anxiety. Normal level of stress is more prevalent in studied children. Approximately half of the studied adolescent population (72(48%)) had normal level of depression. In 32% of the total studied adolescent population level of anxiety was normal. Children suffer from extreme anxiety then the adolescents. On other hand depression is more common in adolescents. Stress is mild in both cases.

Conclusion: Thalassemia is major disease that affects both children and adolescent’s mental health and also damages self-esteem of patients. Although it does not affect daily task done by the patients.