Status and influencing factors of the discharge readiness of fathers of preterm infants in NICU / 中华护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the discharge readiness of fathers of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU),analyze its influencing factors,and provide a basis for formulating individualized discharge health education plans and continuous care plans.Methods A convenience sampling method was employed to select fathers of preterm infants admitted to the NICU in a tertiary A hospital in Zhejiang Province from March 2022 to June 2022 as the subjects of the study.A general information questionnaire and the Discharge Readiness-Parent Version scale were used for the survey.Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to analyze the factors influencing the discharge readiness of fathers of NICU preterm infants.Results A total of 186 fathers of NICU preterm infants were included in the study.The total score of the Discharge Readiness-Parent Version scale was(179.97±28.20)points;the standardized score was(7.82±1.16)points;33.3％of the fathers of preterm infants had a standardized score of＜7 points.Multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the factors influencing the discharge readiness of fathers of NICU preterm infants included the gestational age at birth,birth weight,length of hospital stay,distance to access healthcare service,as well as the fathers'age,annual family income,and number of children in the family.Conclusion The discharge readiness of fathers of NICU preterm infants is at a moderate level.Nursing staff need to pay attention to the discharge readiness of fathers of preterm infants who have lower gestational age at birth,lower birth weight,longer hospital stays,longer distance to healthcare service,and who are younger,have lower annual family income,and are having their first child.Individualized discharge health education plans and continuous care plans should be formulated for them to improve their caregiving knowledge and skills.