Stress, Individual Coping Mechanisms and Support Systems for Mothers of Babies With Neonatal Sepsis in Kenyatta National Hospital Neonatal Units

Abstract

Background: Maternal health is a major health concern worldwide. Admission of a neonate causes significant stress among mothers who are the main caregivers due to uncertainty about the progress of their babies. Mothers employ varied coping mechanisms when in such situations. Very few mothers have good support systems in such cases and experience a lot of strain emotionally, socially and financially. Maternal health is paramount in the outcome of a sick neonate because a healthy mother will participate optimally in the caring for her child. For this reason, mothers ought to receive optimal support from family, friends, religious groups and the hospital at large. Objective: To determine the stress levels, related factors, individual coping mechanisms and support systems for mothers whose babies have neonatal sepsis in Kenyatta national hospital, neonatal units. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive, quantitative study was conducted in Kenyatta National Hospital. Purposive sampling method was used to select the respondents. Data was collected for a period of three weeks among mothers in the neonatal units, using a semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaire and was analyzed using R version 4.1.2. Inferential statistics was done using Binary logistic regression tests. Results were presented using charts and graphs and tables. Qualitative data presented as per identified themes. Results: This study found that on average, mothers whose babies were admitted to the hospital due to neonatal sepsis had moderate level of stress. None of the sociodemographic factors was significantly associated with maternal stress though being single, having a college education, not being supported by a spouse, maternal age less than 25 years, being unemployed, and delivering via caesarean section increases the odds of high-stress levels among the mothers. Psychological approach and meditation were identified as the two main stress coping mechanisms among mothers. Social support (family and friends, and medical professionals) was the main source of support for mothers of babies who were admitted to the hospital. Conclusion: Mothers to babies with neonatal sepsis are often stressed and require psychological, social and financial support from family, church and the hospital at large to sail through as they take care of the sick neonates. Recommendations: Healthcare workers need to monitor mothers of admitted babies and give them satisfactory information on care process as a way of curbing stress. There is a need for multisite study to be able to identify factors that significantly contribute to maternal stress among mothers whose babies are admitted with neonatal sepsis to other hospitals