Challenges of families in caring for a patient with COVID-19 during the home quarantine period: A qualitative study

Background and aims: The significant spread of COVID-19 in Iran and the increasing number of cases and deaths caused by this deadly disease have faced the healthcare system with one of the biggest health challenges in the last decade. In such a situation, the role of families in dealing with challenges is inevitable. The present study was designed to explain the challenges faced by families in caring for a patient with COVID-19 during the home quarantine period. Methods: In this qualitative design, data were collected from 38 family members of patients with COVID-19 who took care of their patients at home by using semi-structured interviews in Lar, Evaz, and Gerash between December 2021 and March 2022. The participants in the study were chosen using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The interviews were recorded and transcribed word-for-word in Persian. The content analysis approach of Graneheim and Lundman (2004) was used to analyze the data. Results: This study’s participants were 38 people, the average age of whom was 42.79±12.796 years. After analyzing the data, five main categories of personal factors, social factors, economic factors, environmental factors, and physical and physiological factors with 28 subgroups were extracted. Conclusion: The results showed that families caring for patients with COVID-19 have faced many challenges. Based on this, social, economic, psychological, and educational measures and support can greatly reduce these challenges.