Date of Conferral
8-7-2024
Date of Award
August 2024
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Berthline Isma
Abstract
Having a child with Down syndrome (DS) negatively impacts mothers’ health and well-being. Families raising a child or children with DS encounter significant financial burdens, inadequate support services, and cultural influences, which have adverse effects on the families. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to understand the accessibility and utilization of support services through the lived experiences of Western Nigerian mothers raising children with DS. The study involved 10 mothers who were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews via Zoom and observational notes. Thematic analysis was guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. NVivo software and a codebook supported the analysis process. The analysis of the data in this study followed Moustakas' descriptive phenomenological approach. Ten themes emerged, and they evolved around mothers struggling with accessing and utilizing support services for their children with DS, facing stigmatization and discrimination, and receiving no support from the community and government. Based on the identified themes, this study's findings hold promise for positive social change by informing policy formulation aimed at addressing challenges faced by mothers and their children with DS in Nigeria. This can significantly enhance their health, overall well-being, and quality of life.
Recommended Citation
Aruwajoye, Vivian N., "Exploring Lived Experiences of Mothers Raising Children with Down Syndrome in Western Nigeria" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16392.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16392
