POST-DISCHARGE EXPERIENCES AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PRETERM BABIES IN KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Worldwide, at least 15 million preterm babies are born yearly, of which 1 million succumb to complications directly related to premature birth. Premature birth is defined as a gestational age of less than thirty-seven weeks. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia contribute up to about 60% of the world's preterm births with the highest mortality rate worldwide for children aged between 0 to 5 years old. In Kenya, the prevalence of preterm birth in Kenyatta National Hospital is 18.3% while the mortality rate of preterm babies under 5 years is about 7% per year countrywide. This study aimed at understanding the experiences caregivers of preterm babies face at home in the first 6 months post-discharge. This was a phenomenological study. Sixteen preterm caregivers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire at the participants' convenient place. This was after purposeful homogeneity sampling was done at A.I.C Litein Mission and Kapkatet County hospitals' outpatient clinics. Data was audiotaped then transcribed into hard copies and lastly analysed into relevant themes. The age of the caregivers ranged from 25 to 42 years old and their mean was 34. The gestational age of the babies at birth ranged between 26 to 32 weeks, their birth weight was between 900 grams to 1900 grams, and their hospital stay was 7 to 90 days. 100% of the caregivers had formal education. 87.5% were married while 12.5% were single mothers. The following themes were explicitly articulated: Post-discharge experiences, Support given to caregivers, and Expectations of caregivers. The findings showed that caregivers face a range of challenges that include but are not limited to social isolation and stigmatization. Fathers were applauded for their psychosocial support. There is a need to amalgamate patient-oriented care with that of community-oriented care