PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS EXPERIENCED BY MOTHERS WHOSE NEONATES ARE ADMITTED IN NICU AT A NATIONAL HOSPITAL WITH GASTROSCHISIS: A PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY
Rosemary Muthoni Thaiya - School of Nursing Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Grace Gachuiri (BScN, MScN, PhD) - School of Nursing Sciences, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing and Pre-Clinical Sciences, Kenyatta University
Dr. Sarah Bett (BScN, MScN, PhD) - School of Nursing Sciences, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing and Pre-Clinical Sciences, Kenyatta University
ABSTRACT
Background: Gastroschisis is a rare congenital condition that occurs while a fetus is in the early stages of development that results in the abdominal wall having a protrusion of abdominal contents – small and large intestines and the stomach. Delivery of a neonate with chronic illnesses like gastroschisis greatly affects mothers and caregivers because neonates who do not receive surgical care immediately after delivery end up losing their lives, while those who do survive require extensive medical care that requires additional hospitalization and comprehensive care which many parents are unsure how to provide or able to afford. Broad Objective: To explore the psychological effect exhibited by mothers whose neonates are admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Kenyatta National Hospital with gastroschisis. Methodology: A qualitative study guided by descriptive phenomenology was conducted. In-depth-interviews with twenty-five (25) mothers purposively sampled, Interviews were audiotaped, the data later transcribed inductively analyzed into themes and sub themes. Findings: Two themes were developed first, Stages of grieving. Some mothers experience shock when they saw the condition of the neonates with denial feeling that what they were seeing was not real. They felt angry with God and bargained on the same hoping that things would change. The mothers went into depression and finally accepted their situation as they came to terms with reality. The second theme was mental health issues: in this case, admission of the neonates in NICU caused mental negative psychological effects to the caregivers. They suffered separation anxiety from other family members. There was delegation of roles at home as some had other children. There was fear of stigma and lack of support from the families. In NICU, caregivers received peer support from themselves as they shared different experiences. Recommendations: Concerted efforts by the stakeholders in the Healthcare sector are necessary in order to alleviate the negative psychological effects felt by mothers of children born with gastroschisis.