Functionality of families of mothers caregivers of children with chronic condition

Abstract

Exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive study with quantitative approach, whose objectives was to identify how satisfied the mother is with her family, as well as family functioning related to infant chronic condition. The study included 59 mothers and one caregiver (grandmother) of children with a chronic condition. The study was conducted at Hospital Universitário Materno Infantil (HUMI), Clínica Escola Santa Edwiges da Associação de Pais e Amigos de Excepcionais (APAE) and support houses for families and patients under treatment at the Hospital do Aparelho Locomotor (SARAH) from August to October 2010. For data collection, the Family APGAR instrument was applied through personal contact with the caregiver. After collection, data was tabbed at an Excel sheet. Total APGAR score was based on descriptive statistics to classify the familiar structure of evaluated caregivers. Results showed that 53.3% of the families were classified as functional and 46.7% as dysfunctional. Of these, 82.1% had mild dysfunction and 17.9% severe dysfunction. The application of Family APGAR allowed mothers to identify essential features to the family functioning. Awareness of these aspects allows nurses to plan care in an expanded perspective, involving the child and family.