CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

This study used the quantative approach. The approach enabled the researcher to find out the coping
mechanisms used and the the popularity of the mechanisms among parents with children on
mechanical ventilation around Nairobi county

2.1 STUDY DESIGN

This research used the descriptive survey method of research in which through a questionnaire, and
focus group discussion which mothers had formed for prematuire babies, the respondents were asked
to provide information on their perceptions, coping strategies in managing stressful events and
situations when their children their children on mechanical ventilations in the hospital set up or
homecare. The hallmark of the descriptive survey method and focus group discussion is its strength as a
tool for investigating the present status of the phenomena. The design was therefore relevant to the
mode of the study, which investigated the present coping mechanisms used by the parents when
managing their children who are on mechanical ventilator in managing stressful events. The study used
the Nairobi county for convenience.

2.2 STUDY AREA

The study was conducted in Nairobi major hospitals with major focus at inpatients at pediatric icu at the
MP shah hospitals and discharged patients who are living around Nairobi with their parents. The study
was done from November to April 2020. Nairobi County is the capital city of Kenya and sets to be the
major specialty of all major medical services in Kenya.however , medical facilities are devided into
categories. According to the booklet released by the ministry of public health and sanitation and
ministry of medical services, KENYA QUALITY ASSUARANCE MODEL FOR HEALTH,a quality standard for
Kenya essential package of health provincial and national hospitals level 5 and 6 in 2009,level 1-
community faciklities, level 2- health dispensaries, level 3- health centers, level 4 – county hospitals,
level 5- county referral hospitals, level 6 – national referral hospitals. However the private hospitals are
categorized according to the care they give ie the aga khan Nairobi ampshah and the gertrudes children
hospital are categorized at level 5 hospitals.

Nairobi county has the major big hospitals and leading in number of specialty and fully fledged and
established hospitals like the MP shah, aga khan, Gertrude’s children hospital, Nairobi hospital ,
Kenyatta etc. having that their main branches are located in Nairobi , most of the parents seeking
specialized critical care i.e. ventilation prefer the above mentioned hospitals as their priority.

MP Shah Hospital one of the case study hospitals admits an average of 15 children monthly managed on
mechanical ventilators. This translates to an average of 30 parents undergoing different challenges
including financial ,psychological challenges and other challenges during hospitalization and discharge if
their baby also is on home mechanical ventilation support.
TABLE 1: DISTTRIBUTION OF HOSPITALS AROUND NAIROBI COUNTY

S/N SUB- AREA POPULATION NUMBER OF

COUNTY SQUARE HOSPITALS
METERS

TABLE 2: MAJOR LEVEL 5 HOSPITAL DISTRIUBUTION AND HOSPITALS:

SUBCOUNTY NO OF LEVEL 5 HOSPITALS

TABLE 3: HOSPITALS WITH THEIR PAEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE BED CAPACITIES:

HOSPITALS PAEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE BED CAPACITY

2.3 STUDY POPULATION

The study population was parents with children on mechanical ventilation both at home and hospital.
The parents were interviewed about their children being on mechanical ventilation and their coping
mechanisms. The parents in this case are the immediate next of kin to the child’s care with sufficient
information on the child and the child’s diagnosis and care.

2.4 SAMPLE SIZE