Background: The number of children requiring daily medical care is on the rise, with many being cared for at home. This situation places a significant burden on mothers, who often serve as the primary caregivers.
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the factors that affect the quality of life of mothers with children who require home health care.
Methods: A questionnaire study was conducted among mothers of children needing medical care at home, with 46 participants responding. The questionnaire included items regarding the child's condition, the mother's situation, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-26scale.
Results: Factors influencing the quality of life of mothers included whether the child attended daycare or school (β=.274; P=.04), the duration of home care (β=.305; P=.02), and the presence or absence of position changes (β=-.410; P=.003). The presence or absence of position changes had the most significant impact (adjusted R2=.327).
Conclusions: The most significant factor affecting the quality of life of mothers of children requiring home medical care is the presence or absence of positional changes.
Keywords: caregiver; children with medical complexity; children with special health care needs; home care; mother; quality of life; questionnaire.
©Kanako Nakamura, Yuko Hamada, Ayaka Fujita, Seiichi Morokuma. Originally published in the Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal (https://apinj.jmir.org), 18.12.2024.