Date of Award

11-30-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MSc in Nursing

First Advisor

Ms Zohra Kurji

Second Advisor

Dr Tanzeen saeed Ali

Third Advisor

Dr Shelina Bhamani

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background:Pakistan has a high burden of neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been proven to be an evidence-based, cost effective, and close to nature intervention for newborns in preventing neonatal deaths, by preserving the warm-chain. The father could be a good substitute for a mother in the practice of SSC, to shorten the duration of mother-infant separation, and to maintain the body temperature of the newborn for early stabilization of the postnatal period. Objective To explore the perceptions of fathers about skin-to-skin contact with their newborns and to identify the existing practices of father-newborn skin-to-skin contact, in Karachi, Pakistan.
/="/">Method The study utilized the qualitative descriptive exploratory design. Data was collected through a video elicitation focus group discussion and six in-depth individual interviews, from fathers whose newborns (preterm or full term) were born in the Aga Khan secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.
/="/">Results Five major themes emerged through thematic analysis: fathers’ perceptions about SSC, impact on the infant, father-infant SSC beneficial for the mother, role of the father, and barriers in father-infant SSC provision. Most of the participants considered fathers’ SSC as important, beneficial, and an opportunity for fathers to experience their role as being equal to the mothers, by redefining themselves in the new role as a Kangaroo father. They perceived that the SSC practice would be a way of promoting bonding and attachment with newborns, iv which would impact maternal and newborn health outcomes. Most of them were willing to adopt this practice and seemed eager to participate in SSC, because they viewed SSC as a caregiver or engagement opportunity for them.
/="/">Conclusion: In the Pakistani context, fathers’ perceptions about SSC play a significant role in scaling up the SSC practice Thus, keeping in view the fathers’ perceptions and willingness towards the practice of SSC, the study findings recommend that opportunities should be provided to fathers; their participation should be encouraged in providing SSC to their infants.

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1

Last Page

114

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