Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2006;6(1):37-45.
THE CHARACTERIZATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAREGIVERS. SANTA MARIA (RS). 2004-2005: SUPPORTING TO NURSING INTERVENTION
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793200600005
Abstract
Once at home, Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) demand complex care from their caregivers. However, scientific knowledge regarding these children is insufficient of caring for, which led us to identify who they are, how they live and what is their demands of caring. An exploratory and descriptive study was developed with 25 caregivers and 28 CSHN followed-up at hospital of Santa Maria (Brazil). Data from interview and charts were analyzed. The results indicated that 50% of children had intercurrences during their born, which determined fetal distress (33.4%) and prematurity (42.9%). The predominant age-children were between 0-36 months (60.7%). The history of special healthcare needs was related to perinatal affections. These children belonged to low income social class (77%) and their caregiver had a few years of educational background (70%). Women were the most common caregiver (96.4%). In conclusion, these children have lived in a precarious social environments and their demands of caring have carried out predominantly by a feminine caregiver.
Keywords: childrens's health; family caregiver; Pediatric nursing; special needs