MOTHERS' PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL ZIKA SYNDROME

Abstract

This article aimed to describe the perception of mothers of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) regarding how the diagnosis of this syndrome occurred. This is a descriptive, qualitative study, developed in locations where children with CZS were monitored in a municipality in the interior of Bahia, Brazil. Seven mothers of children with CZS participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection technique. Thematic content analysis was used for data analysis. The results indicate that there are different perspectives regarding the diagnosis and the moment it is made. The diagnosis of CZS generated negative feelings in mothers, such as fear, sadness, anxiety, and insecurity. The way the diagnosis was communicated influenced both the mother's physical and psychological health, as well as the bond with her child. Thus, the study concludes that, given the complexity of CZS, multidisciplinary support is essential to support mothers and facilitate adaptation to changes.