A Correlative Study to Assess the Perceived Needs and Satisfaction of Care Among Mothers of Neonates Admitted in Nicu in a Selected Hospital at Mangalore

Hospitalization of a child with a critical illness can be overwhelming and stressful for parents, especially for mothers. Parents should have the peace of spirit to provide adequate care and protection of children. Healthcare systems today are complex, technically proficient, competitive, and market-driven. In order to facilitate family-centred paediatric critical care nursing, the parental needs as perceived by the parents must be accurately identified, prioritized, and incorporated into the plan of care for the family. One indicator of healthcare quality is patient satisfaction, also denominated consumer satisfaction or parent satisfaction. Parent satisfaction, defined as the perception of parental needs and expectations being met, is rapidly becoming a primary indicator for evaluation and comparison of quality in healthcare plans. Several studies have considered patient satisfaction as a predictor of treatment compliance, on-going use of healthcare services, recommending healthcare services to others, and a valuable feedback to evaluate health programmes. It is very evident that when the needs of the parents related to child care are met, there will be an increased satisfaction of the care that is received from the health providers. Hence increasing the parental satisfaction can contribute to develop a positive attitude towards the present health care system which can ultimately help to bring desirable changes in the health care delivery system according to the prioritized needs of the consumers.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to assess the perceived needs and satisfaction of care among mothers of neonates admitted in NICU of a selected rural hospital at Mangalore.

Objectives of the Study:

To determine the perceived needs among mothers of neonates in NICU as measured by a rating scale.

2. To identify the satisfaction of care among the mothers of neonates in NICU as measured by a parental satisfaction rating scale

3. To find the relationship between perceived needs and satisfaction of care among the mothers of neonates in NICU.

4. To find the association of perceived needs among mothers of neonates in NICU with the selected demographic variables.

5. To find the association of satisfaction of care scores among mothers with the selected demographic variables

Method:

A descriptive, correlative research design was used for the study. The study was carried out in the selected hospitals at Mangalore. Sixty mothers of neonates admitted to the NICU were selected using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Formal written permission was obtained from the authorities of the hospital; informed consent was obtained from mothers to conduct the study. Perceived needs among mothers were determined using perceived need rating scale and xii satisfaction of care was assessed using satisfaction rating scale. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result:

The result showed that majority of mothers (51.7%) had most important needs, with a mean±SD of 55.32±4.64. The perceived need score was maximum (89.07%) in the ‘information area’ with mean±SD of 16.03±1.92 and minimum (75.83%) in the ‘spiritual area’ with mean±SD of 4.55±1.17. The mean and SD of other areas are (comfort 12.73±1.47, assurance 9.55±1.89, safety 4.92±.96, , proximity 7.53±1.26.) Majority of mothers (70%) are highly satisfied with the care of neonate (mean±SD of 63.13±7.65). Satisfaction of care score is maximum (89.77%) in the area of information with mean±SD of 32±3.91. There is a positive correlation of the perceived need score and satisfaction of care score (r=0.265, df=58, tabled value=0.255). Chi-square test showed that there was no significant association of perceived need score and satisfaction of care scores with selected demographic variables. The result showed that majority of mothers (51.7%) had most important needs, with a mean±SD of 55.32±4.64. The perceived need score was maximum (89.07%) in the ‘information area’ with mean±SD of 16.03±1.92 and minimum (75.83%) in the ‘spiritual area’ with mean±SD of 4.55±1.17. The mean and SD of other areas are (comfort 12.73±1.47, assurance 9.55±1.89, safety 4.92±.96, , proximity 7.53±1.26.) Majority of mothers (70%) are highly satisfied with the care of neonate (mean±SD of 63.13±7.65). Satisfaction of care score is maximum (89.77%) in the area of information with mean±SD of 32±3.91. There is a positive correlation of the perceived need score and satisfaction of care score (r=0.265, df=58, tabled value=0.255). Chi-square test showed that there was no significant association of perceived need score and satisfaction of care scores with selected demographic variables.

Interpretations and conclusion:

The mothers perceived health care needs as most important to be met by the health personnel during their stay in hospital; also they were highly satisfied with the care provided by the health personnel during their stay in hospital. There was a positive correlation between perceived needs and satisfaction of care .Findings of the study indicated that the health personnel need to assess, and meet the health care needs of mothers during the hospitalization of their child inorder to promote utmost parental satisfaction.