Ability of management of families of children with chronic conditions for care at home

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective to analyze the relationship between families' living context and their management skills in caring for children with chronic health conditions. Method a mixed, convergent parallel study, with the Family Management Style as the theoretical framework. Participants were family members of children with chronic conditions egressing from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Southeastern Brazil. For the collection of quantitative data, the instrument Family Management Measure and a questionnaire of socio-demographic characterization were used. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Stata 15 statistical program. Qualitative data were produced by means of semi-structured interviews and submitted to the Directed Content Analysis. Results the families presented a positive average score in the Management Ability scale, having greater ease to meet the care needs of the child with chronic condition at home. Favorable social and economic conditions contributed to the family's ability to care for the child with chronic health condition. Conclusions and implications for practice it was concluded that there is a relationship between the context of life of the families and the ability to manage the child in chronic condition. Being able to count on a partner or other family members can improve the management skills of these families.