Mothers’ experience of having children with diabetes

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a major health problem, which has a wide prevalence in the world. There is no sign of its stopping, but it is increasing. Diabetes in children is three to four times more common than other childhood diseases. Diagnosis of diabetes for children causes emotional responses in parents and family members. Interventions for children with diabetes involve the family, child, and professionals including physicians, nurses, and nutritionist. Self-care is difficult without direct parents’ participation. According to studies, burden of diabetes for mothers is more than for fathers. This study aimed to explore mothers’ experience of children with diabetes.

Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative content analysis. Study population was recruited through purposeful sampling. Eleven mothers who have a child with diabetes and referring to the “Glands and Metabolism Research Center” and “Al-Zahra Hospital” were selected. Participants were aged 28 to 42 years. Data gathering was done through deep interviews with participants in 2007 that was tape-recorded. Mean average of interviews was 45 minutes. Data analysis was done using conventional qualitative content analysis.

Results: Participants’ experience was classified in the two main concepts including reaction at the time of diagnosis and disease consequences for mothers.

Conclusion: Mothers of children with diabetes expressed some reactions at the time of diagnosis, which was mainly due to lack of information, and lack of attention to their needs at the time of diagnosis, especially it was due to the sudden diagnosis and lack of enough opportunities for mothers to accept the disease. The disease causes some consequences for mothers that affect their lives. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the needs of families of children with diabetes and to provide support and sufficient information about their child’s illness for them.

Key words: Children, diabetes mellitus, Iran, mothers, qualitative research