Challenges Faced by Nurses while Caring for Preterm Babies in the Newborn Unit at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital
Abstract
Preterm birth is a global problem with the greatest burden experienced in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Kenya, 193,000 babies are born too soon each year and 9,670 children under five die due to direct preterm complications. Nurses experience numerous challenges as they give care to preterm babies. The aim of the study was to describe the challenges faced by nurses while giving care to preterm babies during the neonatal period in Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH). A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the newborn unit of KTRH between April and May 2015. Fifteen nurses were consented to participate in the study through census sampling method. Data was collected using an interview schedule guide. Data was analyzed as themes as they emerged. The challenges encountered include inadequate equipment, supplies and drugs, shortage of staff and lack of an isolation room. Main challenges encountered included lack of equipment and supplies, drugs and inadequate health care providers. There is also need to improve equipment, supply and increase number of health care providers.
Keywords: Challenges, Nurses, Preterm babies, Newborn unit, Kisii, Referral hospital.
References
ACOG - AAP. (2012). Giudelines for Perinatal Care 7th Edition. Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/perinatal_care/default.aspx?print=y
Gallegos-martínez, J. (2013). The hospitalized preterm newborn : The significance of parents ’ participation in the Neonatal Unit The hospitalized preterm newborn : The significance of parents ’ participation in the Neonatal Unit. (July 2014). https://doi.org/10.1590/0104- 1169.2970.2375
Koenraads, M., Phuka, J., Maleta, K., Theobald, S., & Gladstone, M. (2017). Understanding the challenges to caring for low birthweight babies in rural southern Malawi: A qualitative study exploring caregiver and health worker perceptions and experiences. BMJ Global Health, 2(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000301
Ogamba E. (2014). Potential Drug-Drug Interactions Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertenssion in Kisii Teaching and Referal Hospital, Kenya. Dissertation University of Nairobi, (November).
Opondo, C., Ntoburi, S., Wagai, J., Wafula, J., Wasunna, A., & Were, F. (2009). Are hospitals prepared to support newborn survival ? – an evaluation of eight first-referral level hospitals in Kenya *. 14(10), 1165–1172. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365- 3156.2009.02358.x
UNEP.IRD. (2012). K E N Ya Health Sector Programme Support. EveryPreemie Scale, (January), 10–12.
Vesel, L., Bergh, A. M., Kerber, K. J., Valsangkar, B., Mazia, G., Moxon, S. G., … Lawn, J. E. (2015). Kangaroo mother care: A multi-country analysis of health system bottlenecks and potential solutions. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15(Suppl 2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-15-S2-S5
Waiswa, P., Kallander, K., Peterson, S., Tomson, G., & Pariyo, G. W. (2010). Using the three delays model to understand why newborn babies die in eastern Uganda. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 15(8), 964–972. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365- 3156.2010.02557.x
Waithera, L., Muhia, J., & Songole, R. (2017). Impact of Electronic Medical Records on Healthcare Delivery in Kisii Teaching iMedPub Journals Impact of Electronic Medical Records on Healthcare Delivery in Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. (April 2018). https://doi.org/10.21767/2471-299X.1000062
