Prematurity‐related knowledge among mothers and fathers of very preterm infants

Abstract

Empowering parents as health promoters may contribute to decrease the costs associated with prematurity. In Portugal, 8% and 1% of the births occurring in 2018 were preterm and very preterm, respectively. This study aimed to assess prematurity-related knowledge with regard to its prevalence, causes and consequences, according to sociodemographic, obstetric and offspring's characteristics, among mothers and fathers of very preterm infants. Between May and July 2017, mothers and fathers of very preterm infants were invited to participate through the Portuguese association of parents for support to the premature baby, with 196 parents being included. Knowledge on prematurity (prevalence, causes and consequences) was collected through a structured online questionnaire. Reporting of this research follows STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies. Parents estimated a median prevalence of preterm and of very preterm delivery in Portugal of 15% and 8%, respectively. However, approximately 20% did not provide an estimate. More than 90% of the participants acknowledged placental complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction as causes of preterm delivery, whereas only 24.2% identified low socioeconomic status. Cardiac complications and respiratory morbidity were recognised as the main consequences of prematurity by more than 80% of the parents. Overall, parents with a higher socioeconomic status tended to provide correct responses more frequently than those with a low socioeconomic status. The results revealed the existence of knowledge gaps regarding the prevalence, causes and consequences of premature delivery. Understanding the main facilitators and barriers to the achievement of prematurity-related knowledge may contribute for the global improvement of preventing this condition. It is crucial to include the improvement of parents' knowledge about prematurity as a complementary dimension during the provision of medical care, with nurses playing a key role as main sources of information.