Browsing by Author "Robertson, Anneline Ernestine"

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    The experiences of adolescent mothers on providing continuous kangaroo mother care to their infants in a hospital
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Robertson, Anneline Ernestine; Crowley, Talitha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between an infant and parent and was introduced as a complementary approach to neonatal intensive care for low birth weight and premature infants. KMC has been shown to reduce infant mortality, decrease illness, decrease infection and the length of stay in hospital for infants. The most frequently reported complication of adolescent pregnancy is preterm labour. Adolescents are thus at high risk of having to provide KMC to their infants and may have difficulty in caring for an infant. The adolescent mother therefore requires support while providing KMC. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adolescent mothers on providing kangaroo mother care to their infants in a hospital. Methods A qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological design was used to explore the experiences of adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19 years on providing kangaroo mother care to their infants in a hospital. The study applied purposive sampling to select participants from Karl Bremer and Tygerberg hospitals in the Western Cape. The Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Hospital and the Department of Health of the Western Cape granted permission to conduct the study. Ten individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi’s framework. Findings The themes that emerged were: Becoming and being a mother; KMC: Being cared for and caring for; and Ineffectual support. The adolescent mothers had to adapt to many changes throughout pregnancy, labour, post-delivery and when providing KMC. The adolescent mothers were all shocked and disappointed about the pregnancy but narrated that they had to accept the pregnancy and later accepted motherhood after they have gained self confidence in caring for their infants. They all received information on how to practice KMC. However, they had not received any information about the benefits of KMC and the specific care of a preterm infant. Interactions with the other mothers in the ward were amicable and supportive. Interactions with the doctors and nurses were formal and were only directed at the care of the infant. Occasionally interactions between the adolescent mothers and the nurses were incompatible. Care and support was provided for the infant but was lacking for the mother. The mothers did not receive any physical support despite still being in the postnatal period. Social support was provided to the adolescent mothers who were referred to the social worker. They received some discharge support but it was only focused on the care of the infant. Conclusion The findings demonstrated that adolescent mothers providing KMC to their infants in a KMC ward in a hospital lack the understanding of KMC, its benefits and the specific care of a preterm infant. The focus of care should not only be on the infant, but also on the adolescent mother. These mothers require continuous information and holistic support to develop their skills and confidence to provide effective care for their infants while in the KMC ward, but also for when they are discharged home.