Abstract
Background Hospitalization of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a stressful experience for parents. Iranian NICUs do not have specified levels of care, nor do they integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care approaches. This study investigated the range and types of neonatal nursing support, as perceived by mothers of preterm infants, and its association with mothers' satisfaction with infant care in the NICU. Methods This is a descriptive, correlational study of mothers of preterm infants who were hospitalized in three different NICUs in Iran. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected using three questionnaires that identified (i) demographic information; (ii) social support available; and (iii) parent satisfaction with infant care. Results Mothers (N = 110) generally rated the support from nurses as being moderate. Correlation analysis identified a moderate association of neonatal nurse social support domains for affirmational (r = 0.44) and concrete aid (r = 0.41), a moderately strong association for affectional support (r = 0.64), and total social support (r = 0.60) with mothers' satisfaction. Conclusion There were positive associations between social support from nurses and mothers' satisfaction with the care of their infants. Therefore, planning to promote and create opportunities for neonatal nurses to support mothers in NICU is important to promote increased maternal satisfaction in infant care.
Highlights
Infant birth is challenging for all parents, especially mothers [1]
Unlike many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Europe and the United States, Iranian units do not have specified levels of care, nor do they always integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care, despite the fact that mothers are able to be with their infant for the duration of their stay [26]. erefore, the aim of this study was to improve knowledge of the specific types of social support provided by nurses to mothers of preterm infants and to determine its association with mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their preterm infants in NICUs based in Iran
Design and Setting. is descriptive, correlational study focused on mothers of preterm infants who were hospitalized in three NICUs within hospitals affiliated to a medical university in two urban areas of Iran from November 2016 to February 2017
Summary
Infant birth is challenging for all parents, especially mothers [1]. emotions and stress levels of parents can increase in severity when an infant is born prematurely or has health problems that require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [2]. Learning to be a parent of a preterm infant in a neonatal unit requires social support, which includes the accurate relaying of information, inclusion in decision-making, learning to care directly for the infant, and a therapeutic relationship with the nursing staff to minimize stress and anxiety [15]. In today’s society, measuring patient satisfaction has become integral to the evaluation of health care services [19] In this regard, social support plays an important role in the satisfaction of care [20]. Erefore, the aim of this study was to improve knowledge of the specific types of social support provided by nurses to mothers of preterm infants and to determine its association with mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their preterm infants in NICUs based in Iran Unlike many NICUs in Europe and the United States, Iranian units do not have specified levels of care, nor do they always integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care, despite the fact that mothers are able to be with their infant for the duration of their stay [26]. erefore, the aim of this study was to improve knowledge of the specific types of social support provided by nurses to mothers of preterm infants and to determine its association with mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their preterm infants in NICUs based in Iran
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