JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: Family members of the new born admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of hospitals are stressed and in are in undue anxiety. Aims: What are the health care needs of preterm neo-nates admitted to NICU as perceived by the mothers. Materials and methods: Thirty mothers whose pre-term child was being provided care in NICU were studied. An interview questionnaire tool was applied and the perception of the mother about her child's health care need was rated using a scale. Results: Majority of the mothers were under 25 years (86.60%), 60% were from nuclear families and 66.6% were primis. Major-ity of the babies were born premature between 32-37 weeks of gestation (76.6%) and 70% of them were malnourished (birth weight < 2.5 kg). Mothers of critical new born child in intensive care units are anxious for information about the child’s condition. Conclusions: Nurses in the NICU are primary care givers and information providers. Provision of appropriate and adequate information and counselling to mothers are essential for quality preterm care.

Keywords: Preterm child, perceived health care, intensive care.