Masters Degrees (Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy) by Author "Buys, Kristen H. S."

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    Maternal experiences of prematurity, feeding and infant communication within a vulnerable population in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Buys, Kristen H. S.; Gerber, Berna; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Speech Language and Hearing Therapy.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Background: The concept of vulnerability, as defined by Adger (2006), relates to an individuals’ “state of susceptibility to harm, powerlessness, and marginality” (p. 286). Respectively, the ‘vulnerable’ participants consisted of mothers of preterm infants, belonging to a largely marginalised indigenous cultural community (isiXhosa-speaking), living within low socioeconomic circumstances. Preterm birth remains a rising global threat to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, with preterm birth accounting for 5-18% of births worldwide. Mothers, and other primary caregivers of preterm infants, face many day-to-day caregiving challenges. These mothers’ experiences are influenced both positively and negatively by a myriad of factors, including traditional/cultural, socioeconomic and contextual influences. Understanding the daily realities these mothers face is thus essential in designing and providing interventions that are contextually appropriate for the patient populations. A need for and striving towards culturally competent healthcare is being globally recognised, but studies with such vulnerable populations are difficult to source. Such knowledge is necessary for evidence-based practice, however, a notable knowledge gap in terms of such vulnerable populations is evident. Aims and Objective: The main objective of this study was to describe and explain the maternal experiences of having, caring for, feeding and communicating with their (the mothers’) preterm infants in low socioeconomic circumstances in South Africa. The study explored such experiences of those isiXhosaspeaking mothers; a vulnerable population about whom limited knowledge is available. This objective was achieved through eight sub-aims. Participants and Methodology: The study employed a qualitative cross-sectional design that was explorative in nature. A semistructured discussion schedule was used to guide 15 in-depth interviews that were later thematically analysed. The participants were vulnerable mothers of preterm infants who were born and received follow-up appointments at the tertiary hospital serving as the research site. The participants’ infants were of stable medical health and between the ages of three and six months chronological age (term – three months corrected age) and had spent a minimum of one week at home after hospital discharge. Findings: Briefly, caring for a preterm infant was difficult, with concerns about medical stability and negative perceptions of tube feeding contributing to this negative initial experience. In-hospital support systems such as nursing staff, kangaroo mother care (KMC), information sessions and religious services provided positive influences throughout the hospital stays. Furthermore, homebased support systems (for example, with caregiving and chore-based, emotional and financial support) appeared to be one of the most positive aspects of mothers’ overall experiences. Additionally, prematurity influenced maternal decision-making and mothers showed high perceptions of infant vulnerability. It was also found that the hospital staff’s poor understanding and knowledge of cultural traditions surrounding infant birth impacted mothers’ abilities to participate in certain traditional practices such as Imbeleko (the first ceremony that is performed when a baby is born). Conclusion: The findings highlighted both universally shared and population-specific aspects of having and caring for a preterm infant. Important information emerged regarding influential factors within such maternal experiences, as well as information that may assist healthcare workers in providing mothers with premature infants with culture-specific care.