An Operational Study to Develop Skills Regarding Handling and Clothing of Neonates Among First Time Fathers Accompanying Neonates and Mothers Admitted in Postnatal Units, Nehru Hospital, Pgimer, Chandigarh

Abstract

Introduction: Fatherhood is a period of enormous change in man’s life; it creates various challenges and increases roles and responsibilities of the fathers. At the same time, fathers may also have anxiety, little or no knowledge about neonate’s care, may be unprepared, or have no previous experience in care of the neonates. Concerns of fathers are frequently being underrated because the focus is given only on mothers and the neonates during perinatal period. Need of study: A crying baby upsets the mother more than the father. It is very important to actively involve the father to help the mother in caring of baby, especially in handling and clothing of baby to provide adequate rest to the mother. Objectives: The aim of the study is to develop the skills of first-time fathers on caring of newborn, that is, on handling and clothing of newborn babies. Material and method: Quantitative research approach was applied and 72 participants were enrolled by using total enumeration sampling technique from postnatal units (Clean Labour Room Extension, gynaecology ward and maternity ward) of Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Data collection was done from 2nd to 13th April 2018. The tool involved protocol and observation checklist on handling and clothing of neonates, which consists of 48 steps to assess the skills of first-time fathers regarding handling and clothing of neonates both in the pre-test and post-test. Socio-demographic data were used to collect demographic data of fathers as well as their neonates. Findings: Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Findings of the study revealed that, out of 72 participants, 46 (63.9%) performed 31–40 steps correctly, 25 (34.7%) performed 21–30 steps, and 1 (1.4%) of them performed 10–20 correct steps in the pre-test, whereas after demonstration on handling and clothing of neonates, 50 (69.4%) participants performed 41–48 steps, 21 (29.2%) performed 31–40 correct steps, and 1 (1.4%) of them performed 21–30 correct steps. Hence, results indicated that demonstration on handling and clothing of neonate is an effective method to enhance skills of first-time fathers and increase their confidence in caring of their neonates. Conclusion: This study concluded that the skills of first-time fathers regarding handling and clothing of neonates were inadequate, but there is a significant increase in the skills of first-time fathers regarding handling and clothing of neonates after demonstration.