Effect of Child Development Knowledge, Rearing Knowledge and Use of Health Care Service on Maternal Confidence among Mothers with Premature Infants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how child development knowledge, child rearing knowledge, and use of healthcare services after discharge affect maternal confidence among mothers of premature infants. Methods: Participants in this study were 55 mothers who were involved in internet communities for mothers with premature infants and 30 mothers who visited hospitals for follow up care after having their babies discharged from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in South Korea. Results: Presence of operation history, child development and rearing knowledge, and use of healthcare service explained 12.2% of maternal confidence. Presence of operation history (β=.32, p<.05) and child development knowledge (β=.52, p<.05) were significant predictors for maternal confidence. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that mothers with premature infants need further education especially on motor development, developmental knowledge, and knowledge related to operations for mothers whose child had surgery in the NICU. Also information about services provided from community health services for premature infants need to be advertised and distributed.

Addressing the Needs of Mothers with Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis

“…In a qualitative study of mothers' experiences regarding attachment toward their lowbirthweight infants in a follow-up program, mothers identified that receiving limited information was a major barrier for forming attachments to their infants [11]. Knowledge of child development by the mothers of premature infants is a significant predictor for maternal confidence [40], while less knowledge on prematurity development than rearing and high educational interest in the development has been examined in a descriptive study in 2013 [41].…”

Development of a mobile application focusing on developmental support care for Korean infants born prematurely: a methodological study

“…Interactions with the caregiver are important in infants’ development because their development is influenced by the external environment [ 4 - 6 ]. After NICU discharge, parents of preterm children experience difficulties in physical and psychological aspects, self-efficacy, interactions with their babies, and parenting behavior [ 1 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Parents who lack knowledge regarding infants born prematurely are afraid and anxious about caring for their preterm children [ 8 ]. In addition, since preterm infants often require specialized healthcare or readmission after NICU discharge, their parents need systematic and long-term interventions for child-rearing and development after discharge from the NICU [ 4 ]. Therefore, to promote and support the long-term development of preterm children, parents should be included in developmental support care [ 4 - 6 ].…”