Quality of life among mothers with down syndrome children

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is the highest general chromosomal condition. The children with Down syndrome (DS) experience delay in their cognitive and physical development which causes difficulties to perform in self work for the DS children. The mothers of children with DS have to provide more care to their children. They face challenges to maintain her position in life. This study is important to know about the quality of life among mothers with DS children. Objectives: The objectives of this study to identify the social demographic data of mothers with DS children, identify the percentage among physical, social, environmental and psychological and also identify about how effect their quality of life of mothers with Down syndrome children. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 31 participants. The participants have taken from three organizations, the William and Marie Taylor Inclusive School, Faith Bangladesh and Dhaka Proyash. The data was collected by using World health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) with face-to-face interview. The data was analyzed by using SPSS.20 (Statistical Package of Social Science). Result & Discussion: The results of the study about quality of life among mothers with DS are more satisfied in social relationship skill then orderly environmentally, psychologically and last physically. And most of them reported their quality of life & satisfaction about health was medium level. And found that >35 years olds had higher scores in three domains psychological, social relationship. Whose occupation was employed had higher in three domains physical, psychological and environmental domain. In addition, housewife had higher scores in social domain. Participants those monthly income was more than 60000 taka had higher scores in three domains such as psychological, social and environmental. Conclusion: The study findings reported that these mothers got enough supports from the family rather than the community. This study is important for the Occupational therapist to work with mothers having children with Down syndrome. When Occupational Therapists come to know the difficulties of a mother with her DS child, then they could provide appropriate interventions, for example: recommendations and suggestions to minimize if they have any challenges, and help them to lead a better quality of life. Key Words: Down syndrome, Quality of life.