Exploring lived experiences of male partners’ in the care of preterm newborns: A qualitative study
| dc.contributor.author | Mhango, Patani | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-11-25T10:43:24Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-11-25T10:43:24Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-02-21 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Executive Summary Type of Study: This will be a phenomenological qualitative study which will use qualitative data collection methods. Background: Every year, it is estimated that 15 million preterm births occur globally contributing 3.1% of global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) through 1.1 million deaths and long-term loss of human potential amongst survivors. The greatest risk of death is during the neonatal period (0-28 days of life). Malawi has the highest rate of preterm births in the world, estimated to be between 18%26% of live births causing almost 36% of neonatal deaths. Birth of a child in the family presents a new challenge into parenthood and comes with it a great change, responsibility and transition. However, for the fathers of preterm newborns, the transition is disrupted by the unexpected birth of the child, uncertainty about the baby’s survival and life to follow. Fathers have been for so long considered traditionally as the breadwinners of the family, providing the family with all the necessary support it requires and the mothers were responsible of caring for the children and the household. In the recent years, these roles have changed in several ways as men and women have become more equal. Fathers spend more time with their children and have better experience in taking care of their children. Male involvement has been advocated as a key to improve maternal and child health because fathers play a vital role in decision-making in the households. However, fathers’ thoughts, feelings, fears and experiences in the care of preterm newborns are not adequately explored. In Malawi, there is lack of literature despite having highest preterm birth rate globally. As such, there is need to explore the lived experiences of the fathers, which is critical to their involvement in the care of the preterm newborns. Objectives: The broad objective of the study is to explore lived experiences of male partners’ in the care of preterm newborns in Balaka District. Specific objectives are a. To identify practices male partners are involved in provision of care to preterm infants b. To assess perceptions of men on their involvement in the care of the preterm infants c. To explore barriers to male involvement in the care of the preterm infants d. To explore facilitators to male involvement in the care of the preterm infants Study design, population, sample size and sampling strategy: The study will use the phenomenological qualitative research design guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour because its versatility will allow exploration of the dynamic and complex nature of male involvement. The proposed study will be conducted amongst fathers of hospitalised preterm neonates aged 7-28 day. Twenty participants will take part in the study. The number resonates with methodological literature on saturation of qualitative data. Participants will be sampled purposively using maximum variation technique to ensure rich data is collected. Study Site, Study period and data collection: The study will be conducted in Balaka district at Balaka District hospital, which is the referral hospital in the district. It is expected that this study will run for one year from July 2020 to June 2021. In-depth interviews will be used to collect data Data management and analyses: Data collection and analysis will partly be done concurrently and audio-recorded interviews will be translated and transcribed verbatim by trained transcribers. Before analysis, transcripts will be anonymised. Data will be analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis methods. Analysis will use a hybrid of the deductive and inductive approach Dissemination Plans: Findings from the study will be compiled in a comprehensive that will be submitted to the University of Malawi (UNIMA), College of Medicine (COM) for marking. Copies will be submitted to College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee, College of Medicine Library, and other research institutions. Furthermore, feedback will be given to Balaka District Hospital. The results will also be presented at relevant regional and international conferences and published in relevant peer-reviewed journals. Anticipated challenges: Firstly, to most families, premature birth comes unexpectedly and brings with it a lot of stress and fathers may not be willing to share their experiences with the researcher. Secondly, due to the COVID-19, recruitment challenges are anticipated considering that visits to hospitals are restricted. Furthermore, some potential participants may have travelled long distances using various means and may wish to be travelling back as soon as they can. This may affect their willingness to participate in the study. Potential use of results: It is believed that findings from this study will help in developing interventions to increase male involvement in the care of preterm newborns, which is critical to the infants’ survival and development. The study will also help inform health care providers the need to encourage and welcome male partners in the care of preterm newborns, as they are in a key position to be influential to the infant’s health. | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://rscarchive.kuhes.ac.mw/handle/20.500.12988/468 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | en_US |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | Ethics Protocol;P.11/20/3208 | |
| dc.subject | Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE | en_US |
| dc.title | Exploring lived experiences of male partners’ in the care of preterm newborns: A qualitative study | en_US |
| dc.type | Plan or blueprint | en_US |