Asian Nurs Res.  2012 Dec;6(4):181-186.

Experiences Living with Fatigue in Iranian Veterans Chemically Injured by Sulfur Mustard Gas: A Phenomenological Study

• Mehri SN
• Ebadi A
• Heravi Karimooi M
• Foroughan
• Sahraei H

Abstract

PURPOSE
Fatigue affects the quality of life. Evidence shows that the phenomenon of fatigue is experienced differently depending on the type of disease and its consequences. The aim of the study was to explicate the meanings of the experience of living with fatigue in chemically injured veterans.
METHODS
The hermeneutic phenomenology approach was used in this study, with an emphasis on Van Mennen's viewpoint and approach. According to Van Mennen, six overlapping dynamic activities are recommended to conduct a phenomenological study. During unstructured interviews, the participants were asked to describe their daily living experiences with fatigue. The participants were individuals who were chemically injured due to exposure to mustard gas. After examining every statement in the interview text, extractions of the meaning units, clustering, and themes were performed.
RESULTS
The data explication was based on the third to sixth stages of Van Mennen's approach. The experience living with fatigue was classified into four essential themes: fatigue as a chronic condition, as an unstable and affected situation, as a physical condition of the entire individual, and as a mental condition of the entire individual.
CONCLUSION
Due to unique social interactions and pathogenicity, victims of mustard gas experience fatigue differently than patients with other chronic diseases.

Keyword

fatigue; mustard gas; qualitative research; quality of life; veterans

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease
Fatigue
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Mustard Gas
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Sulfur
Veterans
Mustard Gas
Sulfur