Challenges of preterm infants’ care in the Special Baby Care Unit of Sokoto Metropolis: Perspectives of Nurses and Mothers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Globally, preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, with a disproportionate burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia.Aim: The study's purpose was to assess the challenges nurses and mothers of preterm babies faced in Sokoto.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from 30 nurses and 22 mothers using two different questionnaires.SPSS Version 23.0 was used for data analysis.Results: The major challenges reported by the nurses encountered werea lack of continuous training on neonatal care for staff (x¯ =4.5) and limited hospital management support for material resources and their maintenance (x¯ =4.1).For mothers, the commonly faced challenges reported were unavailability of drugs because they could not afford to buy (x¯ =3.9) and ongoing anxiety concerning the survival of their prematurely born babies (x¯ =3.8).Regular parental counselling and electrical power supply for equipment were the most recommended measures by both nurses and mothers (x¯ = 4.8). Conclusion:The key identified challenges to the care of preterm infants in Sokoto State were hospitalfactors (poor in-service staff training and inadequate healthcare infrastructure), and patients' factors (poverty and anxiety associated with preterm deliveries).Recommendation: To improve access to quality neonatal care, a special social welfare package for parents with preterm babies was recommended.Improvement in healthcare infrastructure and services, including routine in-service training of health staff, was equally recommended.
Source: The Nursing Scope
Institution: Usmanu Danfodiyo University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4407388252