FEELINGS EXPERIENCED BY MOTHERS AND CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE DISEASE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Objective: to know the feelings of children/adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease perceived by mothers and to identify feelings experienced by mothers of children/adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative study, developed in a city in the state of Bahia with the participation of 19 mothers of children and adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease. Data were obtained between March and April 2020 through semi-structured interviews via WhatsApp calls, which were submitted to thematic, factor and similarity analysis after transcription. Results: the participants reported feeling overload when dedicating full time to the care of their children, who were more vulnerable and emotionally unstable due to social distancing. Therefore, strategies were adopted by mothers, intending to adapt and reduce tensions-provided by the context of the pandemic-in themselves and in their children. Conclusion: mothers of children/adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease need to be supported and instrumentalized in order to implement care centered on the psychoemotional dimension and seek specialized help, especially regarding feelings triggered due to the need to maintain the therapeutic routine of their children in the midst of the pandemic. © 2022, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. All rights reserved.