Perceptions and experiences of community members on caring for preterm newborns in rural Mangochi, Malawi: a qualitative study

Gondwe, Austrida; Munthali, Alister; Ashorn, Per

doi:10.1186/s12884-014-0399-6

Cited by 16 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(33 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The mothers said caring for a preterm baby is physically exhausting and even affects their physical appearance (not able to dress well). Similar findings were also found in a study done in rural Mangochi, Malawi [7] involving mothers, fathers, grandmothers and traditional healers as study participants also reported that caring for preterm newborn was demanding, requiring mothers to be with their babies all the time and this affects their business, farming and household chores.…”

Section: Challenges Of Caring For Preterm Newborns At Homesupporting

confidence: 85%

Assessment of Mothers’ Challenges, Support and Coping Strategies towards Caring for Preterm Babies Post-Discharge from Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku Municipality, Ghana

2018

ARC Journal of Pediatrics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 target 3.2of reducing neonatal and under-5 mortalities to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and 25 per 1,000 live births respectively by 2030 [1] will be a mirage without reducing newborn mortality rates. Reducing preterm deaths is very critical part of reducing neonatal mortality since prematurity and low birth weight are direct causes of 28% of global neonatal mortality [2]. About 15 million babies globally are born premature and more than one million of them die immediately after they are born [3]. About 99% of these deaths occur in the low and middle-income countries due to complications. These births are mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia due to lack of live supporting equipment in health facilities to care for them. Ghana ranked 14 th and 25 th for world preterm birth rates in 2010 and 2013 respectively and the number of deaths due to preterm birth complication were 7, 200 (31% of neonatal deaths) in 2013 [4]. About threequarters of these babies could be saved if proven and less expensive management and prevention options are translated into practice [3]. Most preterm babies are delivered at home and if effectively managed at home, their chances of survival will be high. A study was done by [5], in India (rural Gadchiroli) showed that appropriate home-based management reduced

show abstract

Section: Challenges Of Caring For Preterm Newborns At Homesupporting

confidence: 85%

Assessment of Mothers’ Challenges, Support and Coping Strategies towards Caring for Preterm Babies Post-Discharge from Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku Municipality, Ghana

2018

ARC Journal of Pediatrics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This was also described in a study on preterm birth in Malawi which reported the high burden of care leading to neglecting business, farming and household chores. 15 Furthermore, health workers complained about a lack of resources to deliver appropriate care of these babies. In the community, fundamental resources such as electricity are lacking and at facility level there are issues with staffing, space and supply of medicine.…”

Section: Lack Of Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 Previous qualitative studies in Malawi have highlighted that poor community care practices for preterm babies are associated with a lack of knowledge on appropriate care and poverty. 15 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the challenges to caring for low birthweight babies in rural southern Malawi: a qualitative study exploring caregiver and health worker perceptions and experiences

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundLow birthweight (LBW) babies account for >80% of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and those who survive the neonatal period are still at risk of detrimental outcomes. LBW is a major public health problem in Malawi and strongly contributes to the country’s high neonatal mortality rate. We aimed to get a better understanding of the care of LBW babies in rural Malawi in order to inform action to improve their outcomes.MethodsQualitative methods were used to identify challenges faced by caregivers and health workers within communities and at the rural facility level. We conducted 33 in-depth interviews (18 with caregivers; 15 with health workers) and 4 focus group discussions with caregivers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated. Thematic analysis was used to index the data into themes and develop a robust analytical framework.ResultsCaregivers referred to LBW babies as weak, with poor health, stunted growth, developmental problems and lack of intelligence. Poor nutrition of the mother and illnesses during pregnancy were perceived to be important causes of LBW. Discrimination and stigma were described as a major challenge faced by carers of LBW babies. Problems related to feeding and the high burden of care were seen as another major challenge. Health workers described a lack of resources in health facilities, lack of adherence to counselling provided to carers and difficulties with continuity of care and follow-up in the community.ConclusionThis study highlights that care of LBW babies in rural Malawi is compromised both at community and rural facility level with poverty and existing community perceptions constituting the main challenges. To make progress in reducing neonatal mortality and promoting better outcomes, we must develop integrated community-based care packages, improve care at facility level and strengthen the links between them.

show abstract

“…Tolhurst and colleagues provided insight into community perceptions of strategies to prevent preterm births that included prevention and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, avoiding witchcraft, decreasing manual labour, and avoiding violence [ 22 ]. Gondwe and researchers explored perceived causes of preterm birth as well as care practices for preterm babies [ 24 ]. In two hospitals in Malawi, Chisenga and colleagues assessed mothers’ experiences of KMC and determined that awareness, counselling and support were factors increasing KMC uptake whereas long hospital stay, lack of decision-making power, little support, physical discomfort and preference for incubator care were barriers to uptake [ 25 ].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Starting the conversation: community perspectives on preterm birth and kangaroo mother care in southern Malawi

Lydon

Longwe²,

Likomwa³

et al. 2018

Journal of Global Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundDespite introduction of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in Malawi over a decade ago, preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal mortality. Although KMC is initiated in the health care facility, robust community follow-up is critical for survival and optimal development of preterm and low birth weight infants post-discharge. The objective of this qualitative study was to gain insight into community and health worker understanding, attitudes, beliefs and practices around preterm and low birth weight babies and KMC in Malawi.MethodsA total of 152 participants were interviewed in two districts in southern Malawi, Machinga and Thyolo, in April 2015. Focus group discussions (groups = 11, n = 132) were conducted with pregnant women, community members and women who have practiced KMC. In-depth interviews (n = 20) were conducted with fathers who have practiced KMC, community and religious leaders, and health workers. Purposive and snowball sampling were employed to identify participants. Thematic content analysis was conducted.FindingsKMC mothers and fathers only learned about KMC and care for preterm newborns after delivery of a child in need of this care. Men typically were not included in KMC counseling due to societal gender roles. Health facilities were the main source of information on KMC, however informal networks among women provided some degree of knowledge exchange. Community leaders were regarded as major facilitators of health information, conveners, key influencers, and policy-makers. Religious leaders were regarded as advocates and emotional support for families with preterm infants. Finally, while many participants initially had negative feelings towards preterm births and KMC, the large majority saw a shift in their perceptions through health counseling, peer modeling, and personal success with KMC.ConclusionsThe findings offer several opportunities to improve KMC implementation including 1) earlier introduction of KMC to pregnant women and their families that are at-risk for preterm birth, 2) greater involvement of men in KMC counselling, practice and care for preterm infants, and 3) strengthening and defining partnerships with community and religious leaders. Finally, as parental perceptions of preterm infants and KMC improved with successful KMC practice, it is hopeful that KMC itself can positively affect social norms surrounding preterm infants, leading to a virtuous cycle of improved perceptions of preterm infants and increased uptake of KMC.

show abstract

Perceptions and experiences of community members on caring for preterm newborns in rural Mangochi, Malawi: a qualitative study

Cited by 16 publications

References 34 publications

Assessment of Mothers’ Challenges, Support and Coping Strategies towards Caring for Preterm Babies Post-Discharge from Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku Municipality, Ghana

Assessment of Mothers’ Challenges, Support and Coping Strategies towards Caring for Preterm Babies Post-Discharge from Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku Municipality, Ghana

Understanding the challenges to caring for low birthweight babies in rural southern Malawi: a qualitative study exploring caregiver and health worker perceptions and experiences

Starting the conversation: community perspectives on preterm birth and kangaroo mother care in southern Malawi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About