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Pilot study of experiences and needs of 111 fathers of very low birth weight infants in a neonatal intensive care unit

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To study the experiences and needs of the fathers of very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Study Design:

An anonymous self-report questionnaire was administered to fathers of VLBW infants born between Jan 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 at two tertiary NICUs.

Result:

A total of 111 of 273 fathers responded to the questionnaire. Responses to a variety of items, including self-perception, parenting attitudes, confidence, emotional pressure to satisfaction and self-efficacy as a parent were similar for the fathers of this survey and previous results for mothers of VLBW infants. Fathers judged direct bedside support by the NICU team as sufficient. However, 54.4% of fathers reported missing nonbedside interventions such as VLBW father-specific baby care courses, seminars or workshops, and platforms or chatrooms on the internet.

Conclusion:

Bedside support of fathers, accomplished by the NICU team, could be complemented by additional father-specific non-bedside support, such as peer-education measures or interactive mass media.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all fathers for their help and cooperation in this research. We thank Olav Sehlbach for advice on survey methodology and Gabi Völker for preparing the questionnaires. There are no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

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Correspondence to L Garten.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website

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Garten, L., Nazary, L., Metze, B. et al. Pilot study of experiences and needs of 111 fathers of very low birth weight infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 33, 65–69 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.32

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