RESUMO
BACKGROUND: With the spread of COVID-19, neonatal intensive care units restricted visiting hours to prevent infection. As a result, mothers of high-risk newborns were restricted from making contact with their children. Various problems could be encountered for hospitalized children and mothers of high-risk newborns due to restrictions on visits in the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, during the pandemic, continuous nursing support for mothers of high-risk newborns was needed. METHODS: In this study, a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was employed. The subjects of the study were 36 mothers of high-risk neonates (20 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group) in E University Hospital, D Metropolitan City, from July to September 2022. The experimental group received a 10 min program performed by a nurse from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. three times per week. RESULTS: There were significant differences in nurses' support between the experimental and control groups (F = 25.594, p < 0.001), changes over time (F = 16.178, p < 0.001), and time-group interactions (F = 9.663, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: It was interpreted that the real-time noncontact visitation program could transcend time and space for many mothers of high-risk newborn babies, who suffered psychologically due to restrictions and bans on visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Premature infants are separated from their parents after birth and are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Separation of babies from mothers causes various problems. Therefore, as the number of premature infants increases every year, educational programs to continuously support baby care are needed. METHODS: In this study, a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was employed. The subjects of the study were 52 mothers of premature infants (16 in the app-based program group, 18 in the electronic document group, and 18 in the control group) using a portal site for parents from February to April 2023. The app-based program and electronic document group followed a parenting support program for two weeks. RESULTS: There were significant differences in maternal confidence between the app-based, electronic document, and control groups (F = 7.354, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Providing necessary information and emotional support through professional counseling centers' app-based programs for premature infants' mothers, and providing interaction through member community bulletin boards, are proposed to form an effective educational program.