Children's needs with congenital syndrome related to Zika virus in the domiciliary context

Background  Families of children with Zika virus have faced several demands related to child care, at home and in social life.

Objective  To understand family dynamics and the promotion of care for children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome in the home context.

Method  Qualitative study, in which eight families of children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through home visits.

Results  Three categories emerged that portray home care and the challenges faced by families: needs of children in the home environment; family demands; care coordination. Child-centered problems were identified, such as difficulty in swallowing, sleep and rest, and development, family-centered problems such as caregiver burden and fragmentation of care in the health network.

Conclusion  The care of children with Zika virus-related microcephaly needs to be extended to a family-centered care, based on a coordinated and integrated health network based on Primary care.

Keywords:
Zika virus; family relations; child care