Coping strategies for mothers during child sickness in hospitals of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Sickness comes to families unexpectedly and frustrates family members, especially when a child falls ill. The whole family is affected by the experience of sickness and the health care process. Sickness in children happens worldwide and the person most affected is the mother. The purpose of this study was to develop coping strategies for mothers during child sickness in the hospitals of Limpopo Province (LP), South Africa (SA). The study employed an exploratory, sequential, mixed-method design wherein qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. Phase 1(a) explored and described the challenges of mothers during child sickness in the hospitals of Limpopo Province. Whilst Phase 1(b) was quantitative descriptive surveys. The objectives in phase 1(a) explored and described the experiences of mothers during child sickness in the hospitals of LP, SA. The sample was mothers with critically ill children under five years of age, admitted to the paediatric unit of hospitals during 2018/2019. A non-probability, purposeful sampling technique was used to select 50 participants from seven hospitals in two districts of LP, SA. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and coded and categorised using the eight steps of Tesch’s thematic analysis. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were observed. Saturation was determined when no new information was identified. Phase 1(b) included exploring coping strategies for mothers during child sickness in the hospitals of LP, SA through a quantitative approach. The population was all the health professionals at the hospitals of LP, SA. In the quantitative strand, the sample of districts and hospitals was health professionals. Questionnaires were used for data collection and the data were coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.0. Descriptive statistics based on inferential statistics were used. Results from Phase 1b were interpreted in the form of graphs, charts, and tables. The major findings of this study confirm that mothers were failing to cope during child sickness and hospitalisation. Validity, reliability and ethical considerations were ensured. In Phase 2, coping strategies were developed. Phase 3 validated the coping strategies developed in Phase 2. Conclusions and recommendations were that health professionals should be trained in customer care. The coping status of the mothers should be assessed to provide the necessary care. The results indicated that mothers were failing to cope during child sickness hence the development of strategies may assist mothers to cope.