Exploring the Support Provided to Mothers whose Neonates are Diagnosed with Gastroschisis in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
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Date
2024-06
Authors
Thaiya, Rosemary Muthoni
Gachuiri, Grace
Bett, Sarah
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Abstract
Background: Gastroschisis is a rare
congenital condition that occurs while a
fetus is in the early stages of development
which results in the abdominal wall having
a protrusion of abdominal contents – large
and small intestines and the stomach.
Delivery of a neonate with chronic illnesses
like gastroschisis greatly affects caregivers
and mothers because neonates who do not
receive surgical care immediately after
delivery end up losing their lives, while
those who do survive require extensive
medical and comprehensive care and
additional hospitalization which many
parents are unsure of how to provide or are
not able to afford. To contribute to the
existing body of knowledge on
gastroschisis, a phenomenological
approach was used to draw from the
experiences of mothers admitted at KNH
providing care for their neonates diagnosed
with gastroschisis; to ascertain whether
they receive adequate support from the
hospital and other people out of the hospital
that are close to them.
Broad Objective: To explore the support
given to mothers whose neonates are
diagnosed with gastroschisis in KNH.
Methodology: Phenomenological
descriptive research design was adopted in
this study. In-depth interviews with twentyfive (25) mothers were purposively
sampled, interviews were audiotaped, and
the data was later transcribed and
inductively analyzed into themes and subthemes.
Findings: The results indicated that the
mothers were positive about their
pregnancies and attended antenatal clinics,
mental symptoms exhibited by these
mothers due to the nature of the neonates
and the kind of support they needed from
family and health care providers.
Additionally, both positive and negative
relationship was exhibited between the
mothers and the healthcare providers.
Moreover, as a result of fatigue due to
caregiving for children diagnosed with
gastroschisis mothers experienced support
from spouses, family members, healthcare
givers, and peers. The study concluded
Prenatal Experiences of Mothers with
neonates with gastroschisis were positive
and the majority of them were happy that
they were pregnant and were ready to
follow doctors’ guidelines throughout the
period.
Postnatally, the mothers experienced
various mental challenges due to
inadequate support from their close family
members and inadequate information
concerning the condition before their
children were born. They too were
unprepared to deal with the stress and
difficulties related to the neonates’
condition. The majority of the mothers
received support from family members and
fellow mothers with similar experiences.
Recommendations: A more thorough
prenatal screening is recommended to assist
in the early detection of such congenital
disorders, which can direct birth
preparations for the mother and child.
Healthcare providers should consider the
mental health of mothers with neonates
born with congenital anomalies rather than
concentrating on the neonates alone. To
assist in easing the mental and emotional
strain placed on parents, hospital staff
should provide professional counseling.
They should also encourage peer
counseling among mothers. Additionally, it
is recommended that future researchers
consider different methodological approaches in the collection and analysis of
data related to gastrointestinal
complications such as gastroschisis.
Description
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Keywords
Neonates, Gastroschisis