Distúrbios osteomusculares em cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes hospitalizados

Abstract

The activity of caregiving is hard mainly when it is related to the caregiving of a hospitalized child or adolescent with cancer. The individuals that play the role of a caregiver have their well-being affected as well as several aspects of their lives. Caregivers typically suffer from fatigue, stress, depression, insomnia and show signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in caregivers of hospitalized children/adolescents from the Treatment Center for Child and Adolescent with Cancer (CTCriaC) of the University Hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM), Santa Maria/RS. This transversal and descriptive research used the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the WHOQOL-Bref Quality of Life Questionnaire as tools for data collection. The samples included 17 caregivers randomly recruited between April and June 2012. The findings showed that the caregivers were found to have musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and indicated there is a prevalence of symptoms in the region of cervical spine. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and maintaining a good quality of life for caregivers are of great importance once the healthier they are, the most likely they will be able to perform their tasks and meet the healthcare needs of their patients.