Childhood cancer: caregivers’ perception regarding feeding, family dynamics and emotions

• Autor(a) principal: de Oliveira, Mariana Rebouças
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Justa, Rute Matos Dourado Esteves, Munguba, Marilene Calderaro da Silva, Albuquerque, Larissa da Silva, Diógenes, Maria Albertina Rocha, Lima Verde, Sara Maria Moreira
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.unifor.br/RBPS/article/view/3938
• topic: Cancer; Child Care; Feeding.; Neoplasias; Cuidado del Niño; Alimentación.; Câncer; Cuidado da Criança; Alimentação.

Objective: To know caregivers’ perception regarding feeding, family dynamics and emotions of children and adolescents with cancer. Methods: Qualitative descriptive research conducted between March and May 2013 in a reference pediatric center for diagnosis and treatment of cancer in infants and young children in Fortaleza, Ceará. The nonprobability, random and convenience sample included 24 caregivers of children with câncer. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group, and was later submitted to content analysis. Results: The following categories were defined: “Family dynamics and its emotional implications”, “Concern about healthy eating” and “Food myths”. The content reveals caregivers concerned about changes in family dynamics due to the constant absence from home to devote to the sick child. The main problem faced was the sick child’s refusal to eat, and feeding emerged as an act of love, care and cure. Mothers reported cultural aspects that interfere in the planning of their family’s diet, particularly the myths. Conclusion: From the point of view of the caregiving mothers interviewed, the cancer diagnosis has important consequences that generate changes in the feeding, family dynamics and emotions, which require the adaptation of the sick child and the family.