Experience and Coping Strategies of Parents Regarding Home Care of Children After a Cancer Diagnosis in Rwanda

Abstract

Background Home care for childhood cancer has recently gained acceptance in Sub-Saharan African countries including Rwanda. Home care may have positive implications for patients and their families, but it may also be burdensome to the caregivers. Little is known about the parents’ experience with home care in childhood cancer in Africa. The purpose of the study This study aimed to explore the experience and coping strategies of parents regarding home care of children diagnosed with cancer in Rwanda. Methods This study was qualitative using a phenomenological design. Ten participants (four key informant interviews and a focus group of six participants) participated who were parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Data were transcribed from audiotaped interviews, codes assigned to the content, and themes generated through thematic analysis using the Hycner version. Results The study revealed negative experiences regarding challenges, and individual coping strategies of parents regarding home care. Identified themes concerning experience were Feeling helpless, knowing that giving home care was laborious, feeling overwhelmed, feeling inadequate, and feeling uncertain. Identified themes concerning coping were Reliance on spirituality to cope, Balancing my emotions, Getting my mind off the current situation, Keeping life as normal as possible, Rebalancing life, and Finding and accepting support from family and friends. Conclusion Childhood cancer is emotionally, physically, and psychologically draining for parents. However, the challenges experienced enabled the parents to discover personal strategies to cope with the demands of home care.