Abstract
Background
Prematurity is a condition in which an infant is born between 27 and 36 weeks and 6 days. In most instances, infants born prematurely require prolonged admission in the neonatal intensive care unit. Prematurity-related complications contribute up to 35% towards neonatal morbidity and mortality. Ensuring that the postpartum mother is well equipped and knowledgeable about caring for this sensitive premature infant post-neonatal intensive care unit hospitalisation is essential. The findings of this study might reveal how to provide postnatal care to mothers caring for the discharged infant and how to improve it going forward.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore and describe practices related to the care of a premature infant at home upon discharge from high care and the neonatal intensive care unit in the Gauteng Province, Sebokeng Regional Hospital, to help minimise neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Research Design and Method
The study followed qualitative, explorative, descriptive, as well as contextual design. The research was carried out in the Gauteng Province, Sedibeng Sub-District at Sebokeng Regional Hospital. The population of this study comprised postpartum mothers 18 years and above who gave birth to premature infants who were hospitalised at Sebokeng Regional Hospital and later readmitted, from 2023 to date. To gain access to the population, a purposive sampling was implemented. Data was collected until saturation was reached by conducting unstructured individual interviews. The researcher uses Tesch’s systematic process of data analysis for the actual data analysis. Informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice as well as anonymity was included to emphasise ethical considerations. Trustworthiness was guaranteed through confirmability, transferability, dependability, authenticity and credibility. The study’s findings will be proclaimed through conference interviews and scientific journals.
Possible Outcomes
The possible outcomes of this study might point out practices related to the care of premature infants at home upon discharge from hospital by exploring room for possible improvement on care rendered by postnatal mother’s post-hospitalisation. These possible findings might help to offer support and improve the care rendered to their infants upon discharge from hospital and reduce readmissions. This might aid in establishing recommendations that may alienate neonatal morbidity and mortality.