Evaluation of Maternal Confidence in Neonatal Care Among Primiparous Pregnant Women in Sari, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The first 28 days after birth is one of the most critical neonate life stages and mother is the most important person meeting the basic needs of the baby. Besides the importance of knowledge about neonatal care maternal confidence is also important. The aim of this study was the evaluation of maternal confidence in neonatal care among primiparous pregnant women.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 445 pregnant women who experienced pregnancy for the first time and referred to maternity care centers for prenatal care were studied. The translated Chinese version of the Maternal Confidence Questionnaire to local language was used. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by three experienced pediatrics professors. Reliability of the questionnaire using the test-retest method examined, 35 pregnant women (selected from a similar setting but out of the study area). Cronbach's alpha with r = 0.81 was acceptable.
Results: In this study, information about 445 women were evaluated. The mean age of the subjects was 28.39 years (SD = 4.66, range = 19 - 39). The mean (SD) of the total maternal confidence score was 58.87(3.75), Which included knowledge (21.09 ± 2.1), tasks (22.09 ± 1.8) and feelings (15.67 ± 1.17).
Conclusion: Higher maternal confidence was related to knowledge and task subgroups and the feeling subgroup had the lowest score.