The relation between satisfaction of mothers with preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and their problems which they have experienced during the period of transition from hospital to home

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The period of staying at hospital and transition to home is a critical moment for parents of preterm babies which are staying in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This study aims to research the relation between satisfaction of mothers with preterm babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and their problems which they have experienced during the period of transition from hospital to home. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study has conducted with 200 parents whose babies are staying at Istanbul Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The data has been collected between April 2021 and April 2022 using Introductory Information Form, Preterm Introductory Information Form, EMpowerment of PArents in THe Intensive Care (EMPATHIC-30) questionnaire and Transition to Home: Preterm Parental Scale (TH: PES). Data is evaluated with SPSS program using independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation analysis, percentages and averages. RESULTS: According to the research, the average age of the parents is 27,92±6,23. The mean score for EMPATIC-30 scale is 5,41±0,34. The mean score for TH: PES is 73,82±8,31. It was determined that there is a statistically significant relationship between the EMPATHIC-30 scale scores according to the age of the mother, education and economic status of the family, planned pregnancy status, and education about prenatal baby care (p<0,05). It was observed that there was a statistically significant difference between the age, employment status, number of children and planned pregnancy status of the mothers and their TH: PES scores (p<0,05). There was no significant relationship between the EMPATHIC-30 scale and TH: PES (r=-0,069; p=0,331). A statistically significant and negative correlation was found between the care-treatment sub-dimension of the EMPATHIC-30 scale and the TH: PES anxiety and isolation dimension (r=-0,156; p<0,05). CONCLUSION: No relationship was found between the satisfaction of mothers with preterm babies hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and the problems they experienced during the transition from hospital to home. Keywords: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Prematurity, Maternal Satisfaction, Transition to Home, EMPATHIC-30