Lived Experiences of Mothers of Infants with Hydrocephalus

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of mothers of infants with hydrocephalus. A phenomenological study was conducted with 8 mothers of infants with hydrocephalus at a central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. Approval for the study was granted by the local and national ethical review boards. All participants gave informed consent. strict confidentiality was maintained. Scripts were kept in a lockable cupboard to which the researcher had sole access. Manual thematic analysis was done following the stages of data organisation, familiarisation, transcription, coding, indexing, reviewing codes, displaying, and inter-relating and reporting. Trustworthiness was ensured by credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability. Themes identified were, poor socio-economic status, lack of psychosocial support, inadequate knowledge, and health system related barriers. Health education and training of professionals of individuals, families and communities on hydrocephalus promote psychosocial support, minimise stigma, promote comprehensive care and improve prognosis in affected infants.