Abstract
Backgrounds: Aim of the study was to explore parents’ perspective about the paediatric COVID-19 and family health-related quality of life (FHRQoL).
Methods: Qualitative face-to-face semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 parents of 20 COVID-19 patients (12 girls, 8 boys; 17 outpatient, 3 inpatient) aged 1 month – 15 years were conducted from November 2020 to April 2021. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used for data processing.
Results: A myriad of emotions was coming up in interviews. First, sense of powerlessness, learning the diagnosis even though all the measures of epidemiological safety had been taken. Second – fear that other children would get sick. Third – fear of being unable to care for a child in case of parent’s own illness. Fourth – fear of unpredictability of the course of the child’s disease and symptoms observed, mostly, shortness of breath, fatigue, and the apathy. Fifth – worries about long COVID-19 as several children experienced learning difficulties, fatigue, and other post-acute symptoms. Sixth – confusion about the care provided – too many calls or lack of attention from the family physician. Seventh – anxiety due to the contradictory information flow from specialists and throughout media. Eighth – stress due to the threating relationship breakdown. Ninth – stress due to the disrupted work schedule followed by loss of income and additional duties at home. Tenth – fear of social isolation, condemnation as people who have not complied with the implemented security measures.
Conclusions/Learning Points: Emotional well-being is one of the most affected components of the FHRQoL regarding paediatric COVID-19 infection in Latvia. Findings indicate an increased need in dedicated health services and highlights the necessary improvements in health communication and organization of health care and social support services.
Methods: Qualitative face-to-face semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 parents of 20 COVID-19 patients (12 girls, 8 boys; 17 outpatient, 3 inpatient) aged 1 month – 15 years were conducted from November 2020 to April 2021. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used for data processing.
Results: A myriad of emotions was coming up in interviews. First, sense of powerlessness, learning the diagnosis even though all the measures of epidemiological safety had been taken. Second – fear that other children would get sick. Third – fear of being unable to care for a child in case of parent’s own illness. Fourth – fear of unpredictability of the course of the child’s disease and symptoms observed, mostly, shortness of breath, fatigue, and the apathy. Fifth – worries about long COVID-19 as several children experienced learning difficulties, fatigue, and other post-acute symptoms. Sixth – confusion about the care provided – too many calls or lack of attention from the family physician. Seventh – anxiety due to the contradictory information flow from specialists and throughout media. Eighth – stress due to the threating relationship breakdown. Ninth – stress due to the disrupted work schedule followed by loss of income and additional duties at home. Tenth – fear of social isolation, condemnation as people who have not complied with the implemented security measures.
Conclusions/Learning Points: Emotional well-being is one of the most affected components of the FHRQoL regarding paediatric COVID-19 infection in Latvia. Findings indicate an increased need in dedicated health services and highlights the necessary improvements in health communication and organization of health care and social support services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 952 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2022 |
| Event | 40th Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases - Athens, Greece Duration: 9 May 2022 → 13 May 2022 Conference number: 40 https://2022.espidmeeting.org |
Meeting
| Meeting | 40th Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ESPID |
| Country/Territory | Greece |
| City | Athens |
| Period | 9/05/22 → 13/05/22 |
| Internet address |
Keywords*
- COVID-19
- family health-related quality of life
- Paediatric
Field of Science*
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)