Abstract:

Objective: To deeply understand the care experience and needs of parents caring for children with tuberculosis, and to provide basis for the development of corresponding nursing support programs. Methods: This was a phenomenological study. Purposive sampling was used to select 13 children with tuberculosis in the Tuberculosis Department of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from December 2022 to April 2023 as the research objects and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect relevant data. The Colaizzi phenomenological 7-step analysis method and Nvivo 12 software were used to analyze the data and refine the theme. Results: Among the 13 parents of children with tuberculosis interviewed, 10 cases (76.92%) experienced complex emotional reactions, 8 cases (61.54%) perceived work life changes, 7 cases (53.85%) believed that they could actively adjust and respond positively, and 11 cases (84.62%) were eager for professional support and help. Conclusion: The parents of children with tuberculosis have a certain degree of care burden, which affects their physical and mental health. Medical staff should provide emotional, skill, social and other aspects of support to promote the positive care experience of parents of children with tuberculosis and improve the overall quality of life of parents and children.

Key words: Tuberculosis, Child, Fathers, Mothers, Nursing care, Qualitative research