Educational intervention in the management of the premature newborn

Abstract

A quasi-experimental, longitudinal, prospective study conducted at the Regional Hospital of the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers, Monterrey, Nuevo León, to evaluate competencies in maternal self-care, weight gain, height and complications of premature newborns. A total of 40 subjects were selected: 10 mothers and 10 premature infants in the control group and the same number in the study group. In both maternal groups, knowledge about risk factors, immunizations, hygiene, and food was explored. The study group received an active participative educational program (20 hrs), the use of it was measured. The follow-up of the premature was in his home to his discharge, two and four months of life. The skills of maternal self-care were classified as efficient, sufficient and deficient. The gain of weight and height through its increase without standardized tables and comparison during follow-up. The complications were classified as respiratory, dermatological and digestive, with the clinical record and the maternal reference. For the statistical analysis, square chi, logistic regression, mean difference were used. The capacities for self-care were efficient in 90% of the study group, and 20% for the control group, value p = 0.003, the presence of complications in the study group was 10%, and in the control group 40%. In maternal knowledge in the study group we observed a mean difference of 2.5 p value <0.05, weight and height were increased in the study group from discharge to four months of follow-up, in a very appropriate way.