Challenges of having a child with congenital anomalies in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative exploration of mothers' experience

Nada Alqarawi; Sami Abdulrahman Alhamidi; Ahmed Alsadoun; Ibrahim Alasqah; Ilias Mahmud

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1111171

Challenges of having a child with congenital anomalies in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative exploration of mothers' experience

Front Public Health. 2023 Apr 24:11:1111171. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1111171. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Nada Alqarawi^{1

2}, Sami Abdulrahman Alhamidi³, Ahmed Alsadoun⁴, Ibrahim Alasqah⁵, Ilias Mahmud⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia.
² College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Maternal and Child Health, Nursing College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Medical Surgical College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Qassim University, Al Bukayriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Congenital anomalies in children lead to morbidity, mortality, or lifelong disabilities. Mothers of children with congenital anomalies face considerable obstacles in parenting their children because of their lack of knowledge about such health conditions, lack of family support, and lack of health, rehabilitation, and social care support. In Saudi Arabia, less attention are given to researching this important issue. In this context, the purpose of the study was to explore mothers' experiences and perceptions toward children with congenital anomalies.

Methods: We employed a qualitative phenomenological study design. We purposively recruited 10 mothers of children with congenital anomalies from different cities in Saudi Arabia. We interviewed the mothers with an in-depth interview guideline. The interview questions were designed to explore their perception of congenital anomalies in children and their experience of parenting and seeking health, rehabilitation, education, and social care services for children with such anomalies.

Result: Analysis of our data suggest that mothers of children with congenital anomalies face considerable challenges because of a lack of medical, rehabilitation, and social care support, lack of knowledge about these conditions and their management, lack of responsiveness of the healthcare providers, lack of support from the family and the stigma associated with such conditions. Consequently, mothers experience poor mental and social well-being.

Conclusion: Mothers are facing considerable challenges in raising children with congenital anomalies. Regular screening for early detection of congenital anomalies, counseling support for mothers, and improving healthcare providers' responsiveness, knowledge, and skills are necessary. In addition, appropriate awareness-raising programs need to be implemented at the community level to counteract the stigma and negative attitudes of the community toward children with congenital anomalies and their families.

Keywords: children with disabilities; congenital anomalies; disability stigma; healthcare delivery; mothers of children with disabilities; parenting a child with disabilities; pre-school children.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Disabled Persons*
Female
Humans
Mothers* / psychology
Saudi Arabia
Social Support
Social Work

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number (QU-IF-02-04-28643). The authors also thank to Qassim University for technical support.