Experiences of mothers of premature infants in the context of spirituality

Abstract

Objective: to understand how mothers of preterm infants perceive the relationship between health and spirituality and its benefits on the severity health picture of their children. Method: qualitative research with 32 mothers whose children were admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a maternity hospital in Natal/RN/Brazil. There were semi-structured interviews and focus groups between February and May 2012, after a favorable opinion from the Ethics Committee in Research of UFRN and CAAE 0336.0.051.000.1. Data analysis was thematic analysis. Results: the relationship between health and spirituality was unveiled in the study as a positive phenomenon helping mothers avoiding discouragement and keeping hope in restoring the health of the child in the Intensive Care Unit. Conclusion: it is suggested after the results, actions and projects that promote soft technologies, aiming at promoting and completeness in health care.