Date of Award
10-27-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)
First Supervisor/Advisor
Ms. Yasmin Nadeem Parpio
Second Supervisor/Advisor
Dr. Tazeen Saeed Ali
Department
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan
Abstract
Background: Preterm births are the leading cause of death worldwide. Preterm births not only have devastating effects on the new born, but they also have psychological effects on the mothers. Identifying stress related to preterm births, and the factors associated with the stress among mothers with preterm infants is of great importance, for providing sound care to the newborns and their mothers. This study aimed to assess the level of stress and the factors associated with increased level of stress among mothers with preterm infants, in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
Purpose: The study aimed to answer the following questions: 1. What is the level of stress among mothers with preterm infants? 2. What are the factors associated with stress among mothers with preterm infants?
Methods: An analytical cross sectional study design was used to achieve the study objectives. A total of 200 mothers who had delivered preterm infants were recruited using consecutive sampling. Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire for socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric and gynecological characteristics, marital and familial characteristics, coping related factors and newborns characteristics of mothers with preterm infants. Moreover, perceived stress scale (PSS) was also used in the study to identify level of stress among mothers with preterm infants. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Inferences were made using the chi-square test for the categorical variables, and T-test was used for two independent samples for continuous variables in the study.
Study Findings: The level of stress identified using the PSS tool among mothers who had delivered preterm infants was significantly higher as compared to other countries around the world. Based on the criteria of PSS scoring, the majority of the participants 92% (n=184) of the mothers, were categorized as having high perceived stress and 8% (n=16) of the mothers fell into the category of moderate stress.
Conclusion: The study findings suggest high levels of perceived stress among mothers with preterm infants. The factors associated with the stress among mothers with preterm infants included mothers who abuse substance, had gender preference pressure from family and were housewives. In addition, lack of social support from husband and in-laws were also found to be associated with increased level of stress among mothers with preterm infants.
Recommended Citation
Akbar, S. (2023). Stress and its associated factors in mothers with preterm infants in a private tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.