Struggling and Overcoming Daily Life Barriers Among Children With Congenital Heart Disease and Their Parents in the West Bank, Palestine
Date
2018-11-27
Authors
Elissa, Kawther
Sparud-Lundin, Carina
Axelsson, Åsa B.
Khatib, Salam
Bratt, Ewa-Lena
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Abstract
Advances in early diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative care have resulted
in increased survival rates among children with congenital heart disease
(CHD). Research focus has shifted from survival to long-term follow-up,
well-being, daily life experiences, and psychosocial consequences. This study
explored the everyday experiences of children with CHD and of their
parents living in the Palestinian West Bank. Interviews with nine children
aged 8 to 18 years with CHD and nine parents were analyzed using content analysis. The overall theme that emerged was facing and managing challenges,
consisting of four themes: sociocultural burden and finding comfort, physical
and external limitations, self-perception and concerns about not standing
out, and limitations in access to health care due to the political situation. To
provide optimum care for children with CHD and their parents, health care
providers and policy makers must understand the negative consequences
associated with sociocultural conditions and beliefs about chronic illness.
Description
Keywords
adolescent , child , congenital heart disease , parents , Palestinian , qualitative