JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: The admission of neonates to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a stress full experience for parents. Objectives: To assess the level of stress among the parents of neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive care unit of a ter-tiary care teaching hospital and to determine the association between stress of parents of neonates with selected demo-graphic variables. Material and Methods: A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The sample were 60 parents of neonates admitted in NICU of R. L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Kolar. The study participants were selected by using conven-ient sampling technique. The data was collected by using Miles Parental Stress Scale. Results: The overall findings of the study revealed that 76.6% of parents of neonates experienced moderate stress and 23.3% parents expressed mild stress. The stress levels among mothers were more compared to fathers. The level of stress was more in the area of parental role alteration and child appearance and behaviour compared to sights and sounds, illness related factors, financial factors, social factors, and religious factors. The findings also revealed that the stress was more among parents having male child. This study highlights the importance and need of assessing stress among the parents of neonates admitted in NICU. Conclusion: The nurses are primary care givers and educators they should provide adequate information, motivation and counselling to reduce stress and improve coping strategies for parents of neonates admitted in NICU.

Key words: Stress, Parents, NICU and Neonates