Abstract:
introduction: Hospitalized neonates undergo many diagnostic and care-related painful procedures
each day without adequate treatment. The sub-optimal treatment of pain occurs despite the empirical
evidence that repeated and untreated pain has severe immediate and long-term consequences. The
objectives of the study were to determine the level of maternal involvement in neonatal pain treatment
and factors that influence maternal involvement during procedures.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study based in Nakuru Referral Hospital's Newborn
unit among Mothers of hospitalized neonates. Data was collected using questionnaires among a
sample of One hundred and two mothers.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 24.4 years (SD=6.0, range: 15-27). Two thirds of mothers
had never been present during procedures while 85(87%) wished to be involved during painful
procedures. Support from health care providers (HCPs) (OR=11.41, 95% CI [1.11-117.72], p =.041)
and adequate space in the unit (OR=6.44, 95% CI [1.41-29.56], p =.02) influenced maternal
involvement during painful procedures.
Conclusion: Mothers’ level of involvement during painful procedures was low. Support by HCPs and
adequacy of space in the unit significantly influenced maternal involvement during procedures. There
is need for HCPs to consider mothers’ views and to involve them in comforting neonates during
painful procedures.
