A descriptive study of the knowledge of mothers who deliver premature babies regarding the cause of premature delivery
Date
2014-03-20
Authors
Nzhadzhaba, Manda Roselina
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Abstract
Premature delivery is the major contributing factor to perinatal mortality and morbidity
(Prazuck and Tall, 1993). A descriptive survey study of the knowledge of mothers who
deliver premature babies of gestational age ranging between 28 and 32 weeks regarding
the causes of premature delivery was conducted. The study setting was the Coronation
Mother and Child Hospital. The participants were recruited over a three month period.
A descriptive survey design was used for this study. Every mother who delivered a
premature baby was used in the sample. The size of the sample was 104. Data were
collected using a structured interview schedule. Data collected were analysed using
descriptive statistics. The findings of the study showed that the mothers who deliver
premature babies knew the causes associated with premature deliveries. The majority of
them agreed that continuous standing (62,5%), being involved in fighting (87,5%),
strenuous work (87%), strenuous exercise (93,3%), falling (92,3%), high blood
pressure (65,4%), alcohol (77,9%), smoking (74%), drugs (76,9%) and premature
rupture of membranes (88,5%) could cause premature delivery.The findings of the study can be utilized at the antenatal clinic in health education programmes to teach pregnant mothers to know and understand factors associated withpremature delivery.However, it appears that this knowledge often does not influence them to change their practice as mothers were found to continue smoking and drinking ;Jcohol. Further research is needed to discover how to change practices.