[Mental health of mothers of children with cancer treated in Pediatric Oncology at the mother and child hospital in Ivory Coast].

Mothers of children with cancer exhibited high levels of anxiety and depression.

• 73.3% of mothers showed scores related to moderate to severe anxiety
• 36.7% of mothers showed scores related to severe depression
• Study involved 30 mothers of children with cancer treated at the mother and child hospital in Ivory Coast
• Study design was mixed, cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive and analytical

Psychological reactions to the diagnosis of pediatric cancer were predominantly characterized by fear, discouragement, and denial.

• Fear was reported in 66.7% of mothers
• Discouragement was reported in 56.7% of mothers
• Denial was reported in 26.7% of mothers

Physiological disturbances in sleep and appetite were common among mothers of children with cancer.

• Sleep disturbances were reported in 63.3% of mothers
• Appetite disturbances were reported in 70.8% of mothers
• Physical exhaustion was reported in 100% of mothers

Caring for a child with cancer had a significant impact on maternal professional activity.

• 56.7% of mothers had to interrupt their professional activity to devote themselves to caring for their child
• 6.7% of mothers were forced to resign from their employment
• At baseline, 66.7% of the mothers surveyed were employed

Marital and family dynamics were negatively affected by the management of pediatric cancer.

• Recurrent conflicts led to parental separation in 16.7% of cases
• 83.4% of mothers were living as a couple at the time of the study
• Family dynamics were described as being 'reshaped' by the experience of caring for a child with cancer

The socio-demographic profile of the study sample was characterized by a relatively older maternal age and multi-child households.

• Mothers surveyed had an average age of 39.37 years
• 83.4% were living as a couple
• All mothers had more than one child, with the exception of one mother
• Sample size was 30 mothers