Changes in Social Environment

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 7 views

Introduction

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects children and adolescents, with the majority of cases diagnosed in those aged between 0 and 14 years. School-age children, specifically those between 6 to 12 years old, are one of the most affected groups. Leukemia treatment is a long and arduous process that often requires hospitalization, which can have a significant impact on a child's life. This study aims to explore the experience of school-age children suffering from leukemia and undergoing treatment in hospitals in Medan City.

Methodology

This study employed a qualitative method of phenomenology through in-depth interviews with seven participants. The selected participants met certain criteria, including:

Aged between 7-12 years
Hospitalized with a diagnosis of leukemia
Undergone treatment for at least 3 days
Communicative and willing to participate verbally or through signatures on a research agreement

The interviews were analyzed using the Giorgi method, which revealed five main themes.

Results

The results of the interviews conducted revealed five main themes:

Physical Suffering

Children experience physical suffering due to pain caused by leukemia and side effects from treatment. This can include:

Pain caused by medical procedures
Fatigue and weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Hair loss and other physical changes

Psychological Suffering

Psychological suffering is also very felt, where children feel anxious and lonely during treatment. This can include:

Fear of the unknown
Fear of medical procedures
Feeling isolated and alone
Difficulty coping with emotions

Loss of Time

There is a loss of time to carry out daily activities, such as playing and learning, which is an important part of the lives of children. This can include:

Missing school and social events
Difficulty keeping up with schoolwork
Feeling left behind by peers
Difficulty adjusting to a new routine

Changes in Social Environment

Changes in the social environment make children feel alienated from their peers. This can include:

Difficulty making friends
Feeling like an outsider
Difficulty adjusting to a new school or social environment
Feeling like they don't fit in

Family Support

Family support is crucial, helping children face various challenges. This can include:

Emotional support
Practical support
Financial support
Moral support

Discussion

The results of this study highlight the importance of considering the psychosocial aspects of leukemia treatment in children. Hospitals must not only focus on medical aspects but also pay attention to the emotional and social needs of children. This includes creating a comfortable environment, providing appropriate psychological therapy, and providing nutrition that suits their needs.

In managing children's care with leukemia, hospitals must also pay attention to the family's needs. Family support is crucial in helping children face various challenges, and hospitals must provide resources and support to families to ensure they can provide the best possible care for their child.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of considering the psychosocial aspects of leukemia treatment in children. By creating a comfortable environment, providing appropriate psychological therapy, and providing nutrition that suits their needs, hospitals can help children undergo a better healing process. With these steps, it is expected to create a more positive experience for children who are struggling against leukemia, so that they can recover faster and return to their normal lives.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Hospitals must pay attention to the psychosocial aspects of leukemia treatment in children.
Hospitals must create a comfortable environment for children, including providing a safe and clean space for treatment.
Hospitals must provide appropriate psychological therapy for children, including counseling and support groups.
Hospitals must provide nutrition that suits the needs of children, including providing healthy meals and snacks.
Hospitals must provide resources and support to families to ensure they can provide the best possible care for their child.

Q: What is leukemia and how does it affect children?

A: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It can cause anemia, fatigue, and infections. In children, leukemia can affect their growth and development, and can also cause pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Q: What are the symptoms of leukemia in children?

A: The symptoms of leukemia in children can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms include:

Fatigue and weakness
Pale skin
Easy bruising and bleeding
Frequent infections
Pain in the bones, joints, or head
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weight loss

Q: What are the treatment options for leukemia in children?

A: The treatment options for leukemia in children depend on the type and stage of the disease. Common treatment options include:

Chemotherapy: This is the most common treatment for leukemia in children. It involves taking medications to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: This involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Stem cell transplant: This involves replacing the child's bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
Targeted therapy: This involves using medications to target specific cancer cells.

Q: What are the challenges faced by school-age children with leukemia?

A: School-age children with leukemia face many challenges, including:

Physical suffering: Children with leukemia often experience pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Psychological suffering: Children with leukemia may feel anxious, lonely, and isolated.
Loss of time: Children with leukemia may miss school and social events.
Changes in social environment: Children with leukemia may feel like an outsider and have difficulty making friends.

Q: How can hospitals support school-age children with leukemia?

A: Hospitals can support school-age children with leukemia by:

Creating a comfortable environment: Hospitals can provide a safe and clean space for treatment.
Providing psychological therapy: Hospitals can provide counseling and support groups to help children cope with their emotions.
Providing nutrition: Hospitals can provide healthy meals and snacks to help children maintain their strength.
Providing resources and support to families: Hospitals can provide resources and support to families to help them care for their child.

Q: What can families do to support their child with leukemia?

A: Families can support their child with leukemia by:

Providing emotional support: Families can provide love, comfort, and reassurance to their child.
Providing practical support: Families can help their child with daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing.
Providing financial support: Families can help pay for medical expenses and other costs associated with treatment.
Providing moral support: Families can help their child stay positive and focused on their treatment.

Q: What is the prognosis for school-age children with leukemia?

A: The prognosis for school-age children with leukemia depends on the type and stage of the disease. With proper treatment, many children with leukemia can achieve remission and live long, healthy lives. However, some children may experience relapse or develop secondary cancers.