Re-admission of preterm babies below one year at the Paediatric ward at Wyne Stone Medical Centre, Wakiso district. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.1933Keywords:
Re-admission, preterm babies, infants under one-year, Paediatric ward, Wyne Stone Medical Centre, Wakiso DistrictAbstract
Background.
In Uganda, the readmission rate for preterm infants is 69.4% indicating that 7 out of 10 preterm infants are readmitted. The purpose of the study was to determine factors associated with re-admission of preterm babies below one year at the Pediatric Ward, Wyne Stone Medical Center, Wakiso District.
Methods.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative research method was used to collect data within four days involving 40 mothers who were selected using a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and involved closed-ended questions. Data collected was analyzed manually after findings were entered into a Microsoft Excel (2013) version, which was then presented in the form of tables, pie-charts, and graphs.
Results.
(42.5%) were between 18 and 25 years, and (65%) had attained secondary education. On mother-related factors, more than half (52.5%) were not knowledgeable about neonatal care, the majority (67.5%) did not exclusively breastfeed their babies after discharge, and 62.5%) leave was not enough. In line with health facility-related factors, the majority (60%) waited for long, and the vast majority (85%) rated health costs as high. Regarding social-economic factors, an overwhelming (95%) had received advice from family members, most (90%) purchased prescribed drugs, and most (72.5%) relied on traditional methods due to healthcare costs.
Conclusion.
The majority of the participants were not knowledgeable about neonatal care; experienced stress, and a significant number did not exclusively breastfeed babies after discharge.
Recommendation.
The Ministry of Health should strengthen maternal health education programs, especially on neonatal care practices, by integrating structured neonatal care modules into antenatal and postnatal services.
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