Maternal satisfaction with a novel filtered-sunlight phototherapy for newborn jaundice in Southwest Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In many resource-limited settings, the availability of effective phototherapy for jaundiced infants is frequently hampered by lack of, or inadequate resources to acquire and maintain conventional electric-powered phototherapy devices. This study set out to ascertain maternal experience and satisfaction with a novel treatment of infants with significant hyperbilirubinemia using filtered sunlight phototherapy (FSPT) in a tropical setting with irregular access to effective conventional phototherapy.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional satisfaction survey was conducted among mothers of jaundiced infants treated with FSPT in an inner-city maternity hospital in Lagos, Nigeria from November 2013 to March 2014. Mothers' experience during treatment was elicited with a pretested questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended items. Satisfaction was rated on a five-point Likert scale. Correlates of overall maternal satisfaction were explored with descriptive and inferential non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS:

A total of 191 mothers were surveyed, 77 (40%) of whom had no prior knowledge of neonatal jaundice. Maternal satisfaction was highest for quality of nursing care received (mean: 4.72 ± 0.55, median: 5[IQR: 5-5]) and lowest for physical state of the test environment (mean: 3.85 ± 0.74, median: 4[IQR: 3-4]). The overall rating (mean: 4.17 ± 0.58, median: 4[IQR: 4-5]) and the observed effect of FSPT on the babies (mean: 4.34 ± 0.58, 4[IQR: 4-5]) were quite satisfactory. FSPT experience was significantly correlated with the adequacy of information received (p < 0.0005), test environment (p = 0.002) and the observed effect of FSPT on the child (p < 0.0005). Almost all mothers (98.4%) indicated willingness to use FSPT in future or recommend it to others, although some (30 or 15.7%) disliked the idea of exposing newborns to sunlight.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mothers of jaundiced newborns in this population are likely to be satisfied with FSPT where it is inevitable as an alternative to conventional electric-powered phototherapy. Adequate information, good test environment and friendly nursing care must be ensured for satisfactory maternal experience.

• Authors: Bolajoko O Olusanya, Zainab O Imam, Cecilia A Mabogunje, Abieyuwa A Emokpae, Tina M Slusher
• Journal: BMC pediatrics (BMC Pediatr) Vol. 14 Pg. 180 (Jul 10 2014) ISSN: 1471-2431 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25012576 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)

Topics

• Adult
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Health Care Surveys
• Heliotherapy (methods)
• Hospitals, Maternity
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Jaundice, Neonatal (nursing, therapy)
• Mothers
• Nigeria
• Patient Satisfaction (statistics & numerical data)
• Professional-Family Relations
• Surveys and Questionnaires