WHAT ARE THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF FATIGUE AMONG THE SULFUR MUSTARD VICTIMS: A PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY

Background: Fatigue is a lived experiences which is a common and debilitating symptom in sulfur mustard chemical victims. Definitions of fatigue have been the most comprehensive, encompassing the holistic nature of fatigue. Subjective self-evaluation is the key component of these definitions as it determines how an individual perceives the sensation. Despite the prevalence of fatigue in the chemical victims, patients’ experiences of this symptom have not been researched. The aim of this study is to reports research findings on lived experiences of fatigue in patients with chronic bronchiolitis who have been exposed to sulfur mustard. Methods: In a qualitative design, an interpretive-phenomenological approach developed by van Manen was chosen. The six research activities of van Manen proposes as essential to carrying out phenomenological research was used. When carrying out these activities, the researcher commits to investigating a phenomenon of deep interest. Six participants who were proved as sulfur mustard chemical victims, were interviewed about their lived experiences of fatigue. Results: Seven themes were identified: emotional reactions, unpleasant feelings, inability to perform activities of daily living, selecting appropriate methods to manage fatigue symptoms, changes in social and family relationships, to indentify factors that exacerbate the fatigue, physical manifestation. These themes reflected the unrelenting, intrusive nature of fatigue into the lives of those affected. Conclusion: This research will provide empathic insight into the fatigue experience in sulfur mustard victims and provide communication about to knowing and caring strategies. It will add to the body of research on fatigue in chronic conditions, especially in chronic chemical victims and may generate ideas for model development in intervention research.

THE LIVED EXPERIENCES , FATIGUE , SULFUR MUSTARD,: PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY