Factors Influencing Maternal Readiness for Hospital Discharge: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To assess mainland Chinese mothers' readiness for hospital discharge and related factors after childbirth.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was employed to select women who gave birth at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, China, between May 2024 and February 2025. Maternal readiness for hospital discharge was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Study-New Mother Form. Data were analysed using an independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 308 mothers aged 20-41 years (31.15 ± 4.14). The total readiness score for hospital discharge was in the range of 54-180 (132.17 ± 22.59). The 'delivery' dimension in the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale-New Mother Form and the 'lifestyle and behavior' and 'basic skills' dimensions in the Perinatal Maternal Health Literacy Scale were independent factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge (p < 0.05) among mothers after childbirth.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal readiness for hospital discharge must be enhanced. This could be done by improving the quality of discharge teaching and maternal health literacy.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.