Anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction among adolescents wth Thalassemia at Thalassemia centers in Babylon City/ Iraq

This study aim to assess anxiety and depression among teenagers with thalassemia. To assess life satisfaction among adolescents with thalassemia. To determine the gender difference in response to anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. To determine the association between adolescents' psychological health concerns (depression and anxiety) and their life satisfaction. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September 25 to December 3, 2022. At Babel Teaching Hospital for Babies and Newborns, the study population consisted of adolescents with thalassemia in this hospital. The study sample consisted of 120 male and female patients with thalassemia who agreed to participate in the study at the time of data collection. "Demographic characteristics," "Generalized anxiety assessment scale," and Life satisfaction "questionnaire" were used to collect data. Results: 49.2% of the study group were between the ages of 16-19 years, 55.8% were females, 45.0% were graduates of Primary Education.50.8% in the rural area,86.7% had alpha thalassemia. It was also determined that there are statistically significant differences between the age groups in satisfaction with life and the age group 12-15 years, and anxiety and depression are higher in the age group 20 and over. Males had higher life satisfaction than females, and anxiety and depression were higher among study participants. In addition, the assumption of linearity between the dependent and independent variables was satisfied. The results showed that 55.8% of young people with thalassemia suffer from moderate anxiety and 30.8% suffer from severe anxiety. Satisfaction with life was higher among males than among females, while anxiety and depression were higher among females. The results also indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between the time of disease diagnosis and depression, and a statistically significant negative relationship was identified between the total score of the measure of satisfaction with life and depression and anxiety. As the scores for anxiety and depression increase within the group, the overall score for the life satisfaction scale decreases. This study concluded that the results of the study showed that the participants in the study were somewhat satisfied with their lives in general, but they suffered from moderate anxiety and mild depression, and their levels were affected by variables such as age and gender.Most of the adolescents with thalassemia in this study were female and at the age of (16-19) years, had primary education, rural housing, and had alpha forms of thalassemia. Summary and suggestions More than half of adolescents with thalassemia are concerned. Most teens suffer from depression. Patients are generally happy. Life satisfaction is associated with anxiety and sadness. Gender differences in anxiety, sadness and life satisfaction are statistically significant. Lifestyle modifications are basic yet effective strategies for treating depression and anxiety.