Experience of adolescent mothers caring for newborns admitted in neonatal intensive care unit at the regional referral hospitals in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Early motherhood remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tanzania faces a high adolescent birth rate, with implications for neonatal health, as a significant proportion of newborns are admitted to NICU. However, there is limited understanding of the experiences of adolescent mothers caring for newborns in NICU in Tanzania. Aim of the study: To understand the experience of adolescent mothers caring for newborns admitted in NICU at the regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to provide in-depth information that will contribute to improve healthcare practices and policy formulation in the country. Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with adolescent mothers caring for their newborns in NICU at three regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam. Data was analyzed thematically with support of NVivo 14 software. Results: Most of the adolescent mothers in the study had positive perception towards care received in NICU, but some experienced fear and emotional distress. They expressed a need for support, particularly in fulfilling maternal roles such as breastfeeding. Communication experiences varied, with most mothers understanding their newborn's diagnosis and treatment plan, but some faced challenges due to healthcare providers' attitudes or lack of attentiveness. Adolescent mothers were generally involved in decision-making about their newborn's treatment but inconsistently. All the mothers emphasized the importance of support from healthcare providers, families, and friends during this challenging time, particularly emotional support and also, some participants identified financial assistance as a significant need. Conclusion: Providing holistic support to adolescent mothers caring for newborns in NICU is essential for enhancing their well-being and promoting positive health outcomes. This includes improving communication skills among healthcare providers through fostering supportive environments that promote empathy and understanding and addressing financial burdens. vi Recommendations: To enhance the NICU experience of adolescent mothers, hospital management should focus on expanding infrastructure to reduce overcrowding, train healthcare providers in empathetic communication to support adolescent mothers, and ensure the availability and affordability of essential medical equipment. Additionally, offering financial aid programs to cover mothers facing financial constraints.