The Quality of Life of Children with Hemophilia in Shiraz, Iran

Abstract Background Hemophilia might impact the quality of life (QOL) in children and adolescent. This study aimed to assess the quality of life in children with hemophilia and identify the factors that predict their QOL. Methods It was a cross-sectional study. A consensus sample of twenty-seven male children aged 8-16 years old with hemophilia participated in this study during 2011. The Haemo-QoL questionnaire version age group II (8–12 years old) or age group III (13–16 years) was used to measure the quality of life in children with hemophilia. Data were analyzed in SPSS using Spearman’s rho, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results The total mean score on the Haemo-QoL was 54.1±7.3. Haemo-QoL correlated with the number of bleeding event and school absence, family income, mother s’ education level, severity of hemophilia, person who performs his/her infusions, insight to health status and insight to suffering from hemophilia (P < 0.05). QOL was predicated by family income (B=-0.69; explained 73% of variance) and infusion of the clotting factor replacement by parents (B=-0.33; explained 81% of variance). Conclusion The QOL of a sample of male children with hemophilia was impaired. Moreover, number of bleeding event, number of school absences, mother s’ education level, severity of hemophilia, insight to health status and insight to suffering from hemophilia were associated with Haemo- QOL. In addition, family income and parent- administration of the product were the factors which predict the QOL in children with hemophilia.