Abstract
Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. Hence, this study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Methods: A Quantitative-based cross-sectional designs study was used to survey 120 mothers of preterm neonates at the time of preterm neonates discharge by face-to-face interview at Al-Shifa medical complex and Nasser hospital between February and June 2018. Results: The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and mother’s sociodemographic characteristics (P-values > 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of premature infants care was not at the optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity of thoughtful exchange of health information between team members and mothers and establishing pre- and post-discharge plans with mothers to start their healthy transition of preterm neonate to home and to ameliorate family concerns.
Highlights
Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU
The questionnaire composed of three parts, the first part was dedicated to collect information regarding sociodemographic characteristics of the participant mothers whereas the second part was allocated to gather information about mothers education about premature infants health care post-discharge from NICU, and the third part investigates mothers knowledge concerning breastfeeding, infection prevention, vaccination, jaundice, temperature regulation, and umbilical cord care after discharge from NICU (Appendix 1)
Summary
Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. This study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems leading admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) [1]. Having a mother to necessary knowledge about health caring for premature infants after discharge from neonatal intensive care units is crucial [3]
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