Subjective experience of meningitis survivors: a transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To capture the subjective experience of meningitis survivors during adolescence and adulthood and (2) To explore how they give meaning to this specific experience.

Design: A qualitative study of in-depth interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Settings: Participants recruited through an association of persons affected by meningitis and their relatives.

Participants: Convenience sample of nine participants (seven women and two men) between the ages of 18 to 48 years (mean=28.3, SD=11.4), who personally experienced meningitis.

Results: Eight major themes and three main meaning-making processes in relation to the participants' experiences of meningitis were identified: (1) the ability to rely on the testimony of others, (2) the impossibility of meaning-making and (3) the possibility of post-traumatic growth. We detailed here five major themes, which appear critical to answering the objective of the study.

Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into the first-hand experience of surviving meningitis. Findings highlighted factors characterising the disease experience, the psychological adjustment of meningitis survivors and their meaning-making processes. These findings are important for both research and clinical practice, demonstrating the importance of direct involvement of meningitis survivors in identifying key aspects of care, which include the critical role of relatives, and the importance of investigating the need for training among healthcare providers on how to diagnose meningitis.

Keywords: adult neurology; infectious diseases; intensive & critical care; qualitative research.