Effects of Maternal Preparation Program on Self-Efficacy to Prevent Infection in Preterm Infants before Discharge and Readmission Rates before Follow-Up Appointments

Abstract

Mothers who had perception of self-efficacy in their baby care, show that they are able to care for preterm infants to prevent infection. Maternal prepare program may enhance their perception of self-efficacy. The purposes were 1) to compare the mean scores of the mother’s self-efficacy to prevent the preterm infants’ infection among before, after, and follow-up maternal prepare program; and 2) to compare the readmission rates of preterm infants before follow-up appointment after the program. Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in three trials. The samples were 50 pair mothers and their preterm infants who were admitted in pediatric II unit. The research tools were 1) maternal prepare program to prevent preterm infants’ infection; 2) the assessment form of mothers’ perception of self-efficacy to prevent the preterm infants’ infection; 3) the preterm infant record form; 4) the follow-up record form; and 5) the guideline of focus group questions. Descriptive statistics and one-way repeated measure ANOVA were used to analyzed quantitative data, whereas content analysis was used to analyzed qualitative data. The results showed two parts. Firstly, the mean score of mother’s self-efficacy to prevent preterm infants’ infection in the follow-up program was significantly higher than the mean scores of mothers’ self-efficacy to prevent preterm infants’ infection after and before program (p< .01). Secondly, the readmission rate before follow-up appointment was equal to 0 percent. In conclusion, maternal preparation program enhances mother’s self-efficacy to prevent preterm infants’ infection before discharge and reduce readmission rates before follow-up appointments. The maternal preparation program will be concerned in neonatal unit and in nursing education for nursing students.