Prevalence and Rist Factors of Acute Leukemia Among Paediatric Leukemia Patients at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals

Abstract

Acute leukemia is a significant health concern among paediatric leukemia patients, and understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of acute leukemia among pediatric leukemia patients at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Zimbabwe. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from medical records of pediatric leukemia patients diagnosed with acute leukemia between January 2023 and December 2023. The study population included pediatric patients aged 0-17 years who received care at the hospital. The sample size was estimated to be 125 patients. Data analysis was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 25) to obtain descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple logistic regression. The results showed a prevalence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of 77.6% and of acute myeloid leukemia of 22.4% among pediatric patients at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Risk factors such as exposure to environmental and industrial pollutants; and genetic susceptibility were identified. The study findings contribute to the existing literature by providing local data on the epidemiology and risk factors of acute leukemia in Zimbabwean children. These insights can inform healthcare planning, resource allocation, and evidence-based interventions for pediatric leukemia in Zimbabwe. Further research is needed to explore the psychosocial impact of acute leukemia on pediatric patients and their families and to investigate treatment outcomes in resource constrained settings.