Determinants of maternal role adaptation in mothers with preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Becoming a mother is an innate process, without any culture-dependent instruction. While it is a pleasant experience, it can sometimes be associated with problems resulted from baby caring. Preterm birth can be a challenge for the maternal role adaptation (MRA). Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the maternal role adaptation in mothers with preterm neonates. METHODS: The present study is cross-sectional, with a sample including 114 mothers of preterm infants in the NICU. We collected the data using a two-section questionnaire. The first section was a demographic questionnaire and the second section was a standardized questionnaire? "Maternal role adaptation scale in mothers with preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units" (MRAS: NICU). We ran the statistical analysis using descriptive and inferential statistical methods with the SPSS 21 software. RESULTS: The total MRA score was strong in half of the participants. The participants had a university education, were employed and satisfied with their economic status, and had a high score on adaptation to the maternal role. There are different domains to the MRA, the highest score was allocated to the participation in care (56.24±0.13), and the lowest score was allocated to growth and development (3.12±0.28). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, the most important factors associated with MRA are the mother's age, education, and economic satisfaction. Determining the factors related to the mothers' adoption of premature infants could increase the ability of mothers to cope with problems and negative emotions, and enhance the adoption of maternal roles.

Female adolescent health needs and determinants.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a critical developmental period with characteristic health risks and needs. Assessing adolescent health needs helps to improve the planning and implementation of effective interventions. This study aimed to describe the health needs and determinants of female adolescents. METHODS: This analytical descriptive study included 850 female students. The sampling method was multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected from a questionnaire consisting of two parts, the first probing into socio-demographic matters and the second into respondent health needs. Data analysis was performed via the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The results showed that individuals attending private high schools not living with their parents had higher health needs than other students. Students with older fathers - particularly fathers aged 50+ years - had increased health needs. Psycho-emotional care topped the list of health needs, whereas services in the field of spiritual belief were in last place. CONCLUSION: Our study found that the most important factors related to healthcare needs were level of education, type of school (private vs. public), and living with parents. The results of this study can be useful in designing and implementing interventions to prevent high-risk behaviors and promote adolescent health.