Journal of Health Education Research & Development

Background: Hospitalization of neonates in NICUs may subject mothers to shock and depression as a result of giving birth to babies who have low birth weight or premature babies and hence very fragile. This type of hospitalization disrupts the family process and subjects the parents of these babies to a state of crisis and disarray. These challenges range from social, economic, physiological and psychological in nature. There are no support groups for mothers with preterm babies to share their pain, experiences or interact with other mothers with similar problems. Over all, the problems of preterm babies may be in the increase yet not satisfactorily documented in the Ghanaian context.

Purpose: This study seeks to explore the social support system and its influence on maternal experiences.

Methodology: The study used exploratory descriptive design. The Study was conducted in the Tamale Metropolis, specifically targeting women with preterm babies undergoing treatment at the Tamale Central Hospital. The purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with participants. The tape-recorded interviews were then transcribed verbatim and analysed manually with the content analysis approach. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The findings of the study demonstrated that when the participants were provided with information on how to care and were also shown how to provide the caring activities, they developed confidence in taking care of their preterm baby.

Conclusion: Support from staff, other mothers in the neonatal unit and the participants’ families assisted them to cope and promoted bonding. Management should support all neonatal intensive care facilities with adequate equipment and logistics to facilitate newborn care which will help limit the stay of hospitalized preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care units.

COVID-19 is an emerging contagious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that threatens and disturbs humanity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of the central highlands of Ethiopia from July 2020 to September 2020 to assess the knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices of the farmers toward the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 131 respondents were participated in the present study of which 37.8% (49) were from Ada’a Berga, 31.3% (41) from Ejere, and 31.3% (41) from Walmara district. Majority of the study participants 86.3% (113) were male, whereas 77.1% (101) were between ages 18–39 years with an average age of 45.34+1.079. All present study participants have heard about COVID-19 cases in which 91.6% (120) of them get information from mass media whereas 6.9% (9) of them from family and friends. In the present study, 90% (95% CI: 83.67-94.05%) of the respondents have good knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the computation of multivariable logistic regression, only occupation of the study participants showed statistically significant association with knowledge level about COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.05). The odds value of poor knowledge for respondents relying on agricultural activities was 23 times more when compared with government employees. Concerned with prevention practice of COVID-19,57.3% (75) and 71% (93) of the respondents said that frequent hand washing for 20 seconds and avoiding handshaking are essential to prevent COVID-19 infection respectively. Even though the present study participants have good knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19, they are practicing poorly for which they may be affected negatively. Therefore, implementation of one health approach to utilize different knowledge source materials and man powers is important to combat COVID-19.