HOME-BASED MEDICATION THERAPY: EXPERIENCES OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Abstract

Objective: describe the experiences of mothers of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia with regard to home-based medication therapy. Method: descriptive study with qualitative data analysis, developed in September 2016. Eight mothers of children and adolescents under treatment for sickle cell disease were interviewed at the Pediatric Inpatient and Outpatient Service of a tertiary hospital in the state capital of São Paulo. The data were organized, coded and presented in categories, following content analysis procedures. Results: the mothers presented lack of knowledge on care during home-based medication administration, as well as on possible adverse effects, the action mechanism and benefitsof the medication used. Conclusion: nurses need to act in advising the mothers for safe and correct drug administration at home, with a view to reducing complications related to the absorption of the drug, therapeutic suppression and caregivers’ undue exposure to the drug.

Keywords

• Anemia
• Sickle cell
• Drug therapy
• Mothers
• Pediatric nursing