Experiências vividas por pais de crianças com diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

The Diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) is a metabolic disorder syndrome caused by lack of insulin secretion, which occurs due to injury in the beta cells of the pancreas or diseases that impair insulin production, and its effect mainly affect children and adolescents. In this perspective, this study aims to verify the experiences of parents of children with T1DM and to describe how these children were cared. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, with qualitative character. It was realized in the Basic Health Units (Unidades Básicas de Saúde) in Alagoinhas, Paraíba, Brazil. The sample consisted of 19 mothers and one father accompanying the treatment of their children at such units. We used the following criteria for the selection of participants in the study: they were older than 18 years, were watching their son or daughter in the units selected at the time of data collection and agreed to participate in the research. Besides that, on being invited to participate in the study, participants were informed about the purpose of the study. Secrecy, anonymity and withdrawal at any time of the survey were guaranteed through the participation of a Term of Consent provided at time of interview. The criteria used obeyed the Resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council that guides research involving humans. He also asked permission to record the interviews. The criteria used obeyed the Resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council that guides research involving humans. Permission to record the interviews was also asked. The research was conducted after approval by the Ethics and Research and later, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health of the City of Alagoinha, Paraíba. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews during the month of March 2013 and were analyzed according to the literature and following the conceptual basis of the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) of Lefèvre and Lefèvre. The data allowed to form core ideas, considering the problems that parents face. Accordingly, the central ideas were: "Feelings of anguish, sadness, helplessness and despair"; “Change in food "and" Difficulties in diabetes’ treatment". This study showed that parents always expect healthy children. This way, it is possible that when they discover their children have a chronic disease, they have been frustrated and disillusioned. The fact of not having a perfect child and the doubts about the future of your child may foster feelings of guilt, anxiety, fear and even grief, which ends up interfering in family routine. Another aspect mentioned by parents participating in the study was the change in the family routine due to 11 the diet and the care provided in the control of diabetes, such as: checking blood glucose, insulin application, correct management of hypoglycemia. The data obtained in this investigation showed us that parents are involved in the daily care with the child and they face difficulties to collaborate with the treatment regimen and control of diabetes. These difficulties are related to several factors: the restructuring of the menu feed the family, the child's motivation to physical exercise, school adjustment, relationships with other brothers. These difficult situations indicate that parents need help and support to deal with children with diabetes.