STRESS IN CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH HYDROCEPHALUS (O ESTRESSE EM CUIDADORES DE CRIANÇAS PORTADORAS DE HIDROCEFALIA)

Abstract

Purpose: Hydrocephalus in children is – usually – a chronic disease and frequently it has no perfect treatment. Long periods of continuous care and supervisions of these children lead the caregivers to varied levels of stress. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the stress level in caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. Methods: A descriptive longitudinal and observational study, by using inventory to evaluate and scale the presence of stress in caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. Results: Stress symptoms were present in 95% of caregivers, especially in the phase known as resistance (51%). In 39%, these caregivers were diagnosed in almost exhaustion phase. Conclusions: Our results showed different degrees of stress in almost all caregivers of children with hydrocephalus, making essential to have a multidisciplinary approach in this group of patients and their caregivers, so, besides the child, parents and guardians also receive specific treatment.