A Study to Find out the Physical, Social Problems and Emotional Stress Experienced by the Mothers of Babies Admitted in NICU/SNCU of Selected Govt. Hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted to find out physical, social problems & emotional stress of the mothers of the babies who are admitted in NICU/SNCU of selected government hospital. The objectives of the study were to find out physical, social problems & emotional stress of the mothers, to identify the relationship between emotional stress & physical problems, emotional stress & social problems, to identify the association between physical, social problems, emotional stress with selected socio- demographic variables. The conceptual framework was adopted for this study was Holistic care model. Non-experimental research approach & descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. One ninety-five (195) mothers of babies admitted in NICU/SNCU of R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital were selected as sample through non-probability purposive sampling technique. The instruments used for data collection were structured interview schedule, record analysis proforma, Semi-structured interview schedule & structured assessment tool (Likert scale). The findings of the study revealed that 55.89% mothers were found with physical problems. Out of them, 55.05% had sleeping disturbances, 30.27% had breast engorgement, 18.34% had constipation, 9.17% had headache, 8.26% had extreme tiredness, 7.34% had loss of appetite, and 7.34% had heartburn, 1.83% had fever. In social problems, family members blamed to 10.77% mothers, superstition present for 18.97% of mothers, 67.18% mothers had financial problems in the family, 100% mothers didn’t receive any financial help from any organization, 2.56% mothers had lack of support person in the family & for 100% mothers’ family bonding with the newborn child affected. Child’s admission to NICU/SNCU induces moderate stress, mild stress & severe stress to 45.13%, 27.18% & 24.62% mothers respectively. A significant relationship found between social problems & emotional stress (r = 0.201). There was a significant association between age & physical problems of mother [χ2 df (1) =4.634, p < 0.05], gravida & physical problem of mothers [χ² df (1) =29.221, p < 0.05], NICU admission duration of baby & physical problems of mothers [χ² df (2) =15.257, p < 0.05], religion & social problems of mothers [χ² df(1) =41.679, p < 0.05], area of living & social problems of mothers [χ² df(1) = 56.231, p < 0.05], socioeconomic status & social problems of mothers [χ² df (1) = 66.087, p < 0.05], baby’s NICU admission duration & emotional stress of mothers [χ2 df (2)= 63.564, p < 0.05]. It can be concluded that mothers of NICU/SNCU admitted babies face different physical, social problems & emotional stress. The finding of the study has several implications in nursing practice, education, administration & research. A similar study can be conducted with large sample size & random sampling & the study can be done to identify both the physical, social problems & emotional stress of mothers & its contributing factors.