QUALITY OF LIFE OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL SYNDROME AFFECTED BY ZIKA VIRUS.

OBJECTIVE To investigate how mothers of children with congenital syndrome (microcephaly) associated with Zika virus perceive their quality of life. METHODS This is a qualitative study carried out in two stages: at the Maternal and Child University Hospital and at Casa de Apoio Ninar through semi-structured interviews with mothers of children with congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus. Ten women comprised the sample. RESULTS In line with the critical discourse analysis, four categories emerged based on Fairclough's 2008 assumptions: Quality of Life and Health - quality of life perception associated with the broad meaning of the term health; Quality of Life and Health Care Systems - characterized by care instability and fragmentation; Quality of Life and Free Time - lack of free time for activities of daily living and leisure; Quality of Life and Future Perspectives - lack of future perspective, considering that most participants had to stop working and studying to take care of their children. CONCLUSIONS Mothers of children with congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus are devoted to their children's care. Their lack of prospects was considered a consequence of the lack of time for activities of daily living and leisure.