Comparison of Mothers and Nurses Viewpoint about Stressors and Provided Nursing Supports for Parents of Premature Newborn in NICU of Teaching Hospitals in Tabriz, 2007.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Development in technology and investigation was caused to surviving many of newborns with different gestational age, even among very premature newborns. About 10-12% of newborns are premature. Investigation has showed that emotional responses of mothers related to premature infant born are more than fathers. Mothers tolerate more stress and this experience of stressors for mothers has important effect on their relations with infant in future. Providers of health care, especially nurses are one of important support resources for mothers at this time. Regarding to this issue that, investigation about stressors of mothers with hospitalized premature newborn in NICU and perceived nursing support during this time, seem don't enough in our country, therefore this study has done to specify mentioned situation and use of this research for future programs. Method: This study is comparative descriptive design and the study population consisted of total mothers with hospitalized premature newborn in NICU (n=300) and nurses (n=32) during the first 6 months in year 2007, in three Teaching Hospitals in Tabriz (Taleghani, Al –Zahra, kudakan). Sampling method was census and data collected by three sections questionnaire that consist: a) Demographic characters. B) NPST (Nurse Parent Support Tool). C) PSS (Parent Stressor Scale) that developed by Margaret Miles and et al 1998, 1999. Validity of scale was determined by content validity with cooperation of ten faculty members of Nursing –Midwifery School of Tabriz, and validity of translation assessed by one English Language expert. Reliability of scale determined with participation of 30 mothers and 6 nurses that have including criteria (Cronbach alpha for mothers calculated 0.87 in PSS and 0.9 in NPST and for nurses was 0.94 in PSS and 0.96 in NPST). Data analysis was done with SPSS 13.5, descriptive and inferential statistics was used. Results: Finding of this study has showed that the most stressors from view of mothers was "parental role and relationship" and the most stressors from view of nurses are "baby looks, behaves and treatments" and "parental role and relationship". Comparing view of mothers and nurses about supports for parents showed the most and important provided support of parents from view of mothers were "informational –communicational" and "quality of care" dimensions and least provided support were "emotional" and "esteem" supports. While, from view of nurses the most and important provided supports were related to "quality of care" and "emotional" dimensions. Also, between two groups, mothers and nurses, there was difference about supports and importance of supports. Addition to within groups, there was positive and significant correlation between supports and importance of supports. Conclusion: Regarding to result of this study, hospitalization of premature newborn immediately after birth in NICU, caused to experience of inappropriate stress in parents especially in postpartum mothers. In addition to inventions for preventing premature born during pregnancy, it seems that, after premature born, preparing parents especially mothers for first newborn face in NICU and support them to establish appropriate communication with newborn, NICU environment and provide appropriate parent's role are the most important duties of nurses related to family of premature newborn. Therefore, nurses that providing services for this group of client, should always attention to family centered care.