Assessment of Mothers' Interpretation and Care of their Infants Crying

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master student

2 Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

3 Professor and Head of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University-Cairo-Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Infant crying plays an important in ensuring the survival,
health, and development of the child. Aim: This study aims to assess mothers’
interpretation and care of their infants' crying. Research design: A descriptive
research design was used. Setting: The study was carried out at Ash-moon Health
Office in Menofia Governorate. Subjects: A purposive sample which included 200
mothers who attended in the previously mentioned setting for a six months period
for children' care services such as vaccination and receiving artificial milk. Tools:
Two tools were used: First tool, pre-designed interview questionnaire sheet: It was
used to assess studied mothers' knowledge regarding interpretation of infants' crying.
Second tool, observational checklist: It was used to assess reported mothers' practice
regarding care of infants' crying. Results: More than one third of infants were on
artificial feeding and more than half of mothers visited the health office for
receiving industrial milk. Almost three quarter of studied mothers had poor
knowledge about interpretation of their infants’ crying and had inadequate total
reported practice about care of their infants’ crying. There was positive correlation
between mothers’ total knowledge and their total reported practice regarding
interpretation and care of their infants' crying. Conclusion: In light of the study
results, it can be concluded that, almost three quarter of the studied mothers had
poor total knowledge and inadequate total reported practice regarding the
interpretation and care of their infants’ crying. Recommendations: Provide nursing
education for mothers at Health Offices to improve their knowledge about infant
crying, interpretation and maternal care of infant crying.

Keywords