Problems in children with acute diseases and evaluation of factors that parents

Illness trajectory and hospitalization threaten the family?s sense of integrity and cause distress and anxiety in family members. Presence and active involvement of parents in treatment and hospitalization and parents? support facilitate the treatment and hospitalization process. Nevertheless, the physical and psychicosocial needs of parents with sick children have been often neglected. The aim of the study was to assess the parents? physical, psychological, social dimension and economic related problems or difficulties and associated factors with their child?s hospitalization due to acute illness. The study sample comprised of 100 parents whom child was hospitalized due to acute illness. This study was conducted at a paediatric clinic of a private hospital affiliated to a Foundation University in Istanbul. Data collection took four months and three data collection tools were used: Parents' Experiences Questionnaire, and Child Information Questionnaire and Parent Information Questionnaire. Parents' Experiences Questionnaire is composed of 26 questions and four dimensions; physical dimension, psychological dimension, social dimension and economic dimension. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Ninety seven percent of sample comprised of mothers and 32% of mothers were between 25-29 age group. Mean score of Parents' Experiences Questionnaire indicated that the sample experienced physical, psychological, social and economic difficulties and the level of problems were at moderate level (32.03 ± 9.33, range: 10-66). Study found that the parents were more distressed about suffering of their children due to treatment or diagnostic procedure. Study results indicate the need for educational and social support of parents who have had a child who were hospitalized due to acute illness.