Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2014, 5(1):9-14

The quality of life for children with epilepsy

Anna Ovšonková^1,*, Zuzana Mahútová²

¹ Department of Nursing, Jessenius Medical Faculty in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia

² Children's department, Hospital with out-patient clinic named by Ladislav Nádaši-Jége in Dolný Kubín, Slovakia

Aim: The aim of this research was to find out the influence of this disease on the quality of life in children with epilepsy.

Methods: To collect the empirical data, we used a standardized questionnaire concerning the quality of life - Quality of Life in Epilepsy for Adolescents (QOLIE-AD-48) designed for an age group of 11 - 18 years. The sample consisted of 70 participants. For statistical analyses, we used descriptive statistical methods.

Results: The majority of participants rated their health status as good. Participants indicated difficulties in implementing more demanding activities; half of the participants did not have hardly any problems in meeting domestic and school assignments. For activities requiring concentration and understanding, participants reported the occurrence of problems rarely and sometimes. Participants were not greatly restricted by their parents in what they wanted to do, but half of the participants often did fewer things than they wished to do. They very often had someone who would give them advice, help them or with whom they may talk. In the area of self-perception, most participants did not feel imperfect due to epilepsy and only sometimes did they feel isolated from the others, having been always accepted the way they are. Participants did not agree with the claim that their disease could discriminate them when applying for a job or limit them in choosing a partner. They did not feel that epilepsy should make them mentally unstable. Participants were often concerned about an unexpected epileptic fit and injury during it; they were not concerned about unexpected death.

Conclusion: The aim of nursing care is to ensure that the disease is best compensated for so that the child can lead a fulfilling life. The use of the assessment tools, in clinical practice, may help identify the patients' problems and limitations associated with the disease and find appropriate solutions.

Keywords: epilepsy, quality of life in a child, quality of life assessment

Received: July 13, 2013; Accepted: August 5, 2013; Published: March 30, 2014  Show citation