Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: This is an exploratory qualitative study to determine the psychosocial factors affecting families with hospitalized children and their coping strategies at the University Hospital – Legon. Children in some cases of reporting to the hospital will need to be admitted during their recovery period for a short or long period. In such cases, a family member can be on the ward with the child to keep them company and also make them feel secured in the unfamiliar environment. The study was to find out the psychosocial and economic challenges family members encounter during a child’s hospitalization.
Interventions to lower levels of anxiety, fear, uncertainty and depression include support from health care professionals and other members of the multidisciplinary team will be put in place to enable the families to cope better with the situation.
METHODS: A qualitative study of fifteen (15) family members who are staying on the ward was conducted using in-depth interview at the Paediatric Ward of the University Hospital, Legon to explore the psychosocial factors affecting families with hospitalized children and their coping strategies. Interviews with the participants was audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis of the data based on emerging themes and subthemes in line with the study objectives was carried out.
RESULTS: Study findings revealed that family members with hospitalized children are affected by psychosocial and economic factors which need to be addressed by health care workers and other stakeholders. Family members themselves therefore adopt coping strategies; the dominant ones being soliciting family support, reliance on God and self-motivation.
CONCLUSION: Families with hospitalized children go through psychosocial and economic problems which can be intervened by health care professionals on the ward. These problems must be anticipated immediately a child is admitted to the ward whether for short or long stay and caregivers helped to cope. It is recommended that the NHIS be accepted in all health facilities that take care of hospitalized children to minimise the financial burden on parents. The Ministry of Health in conjunction with other key stakeholders should make available mothers’ hostels in all health facilities to provide accommodation for mothers staying on the wards. Information to help mothers cope with the burden of child care during their child’s admission should be provided by hospital administration.
