Sleep quality in informal caregivers of children with invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances are one of the symptoms that have the highest correlation with caregiving. Among the population of Chile, 63.2% reports having sleep disturbances. Objective: To identify sleep characteristics and habits in the caregivers of children belonging to the National Program of Invasive and Non-Invasive Ventilatory Assistance at Home of the Ministry of Health of Chile. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sec-tional study with 82 family caregivers. The Pittsburgh Scale is applied, as well as a questionnaire about habits, nutrition, exercise, and stimulant intake. Results: Age 41.5 (SD = 9.4) years; mean number of hours of sleep of 6.29 hours; 52.4% are short sleepers; according to the Pittsburgh scale, 81.7% have sleeping problems. The higher the educational level and the scheduled physical activity, the lower the risk of presenting sleeping problems. Living alone with children without any other supportive family member presents additional problems. Conclusion: The care for the child with high technolog-ical dependence at home must have a multidisciplinary approach, considering the satisfaction of basic needs of caregivers, such as sleep.