Comparison the Effect of NICU Orientation Program through Watching Film or Reading Booklet on Mother’s Anxiety with Preterm Newborn Hospitalized in NICU: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Neonatal intensive care unit induces the high level of anxiety for mothers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of NICU orientation program on the anxiety of mothers who had preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial (three parallel groups). Participants included 99 mothers with preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU of Al- Zahra hospital, affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Mothers were randomly assigned to one of three groups (film, booklet, and control). Mothers completed the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory before entering to the NICU, and then mothers in the experiment groups became familiar with the NICU environment through watching a film or reading booklet. After the first NICU visit, all mothers completed the STAI and Cattell's Anxiety Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (ver. 13) software. Results: There was no significant difference between three groups regarding state- trait anxiety before the intervention (P<0.001). After the first NICU visit, a significant reduction in maternal state anxiety was seen in the both experiment groups (P<0.001). There was no significant difference regarding trait anxiety (P>0.001). However, Cattell's anxiety showed significant difference in state anxiety between groups (P<0.001). Conclusions: Employing film and booklet orientation strategy after preterm delivery could be beneficent for reducing the mother’s anxiety and beneficent for the mother, baby, family and health care system.