The Effect of QR Code Supported Newborn Care Training Given to Mothers With Premature Infant on Self-Efficacy and Anxiety: A Randomised Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND

It is observed that mothers, who mostly take the responsibility of home care of their first premature infants alone after discharge, need extra education and self-confidence. The accessibility and sustainability of this training may improve the success of care.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of QR code supported infant care training given to mothers with preterm infants on maternal self-efficacy and anxiety.

METHODS

A single-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted between January and December 2023 with mothers with premature infants who were hospitalised in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Turkey. The study population consisted of 80 mothers (Experimental group: 40, Standard Care [SC] group: 40). The Mother and Infant Monitoring Form, the Perceived Maternal Parenting Self Efficacy Scale (PMP-SE) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to collect data. Both groups received routine hospital training before discharge. Educational booklets with QR codes containing practical videos on newborn care were distributed to the mothers in the experimental group.

RESULTS

After the training process, the total and sub-dimensions of the PMP-SE scale score of the mothers in the intervention group (67.55 ± 5.72) was significantly higher than those in the SC group (62.37 ± 11.08) (p = 0.017). When the mean STAI score was analysed, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean scale score in the intervention and SC group before and after the training. Also, while there was no significant difference between te groups, STAI scores of the mothers in the SC group after discharged (44.35 ± 4.60) were significantly higher than their scores during hospitalisation (41.82 ± 4.81) (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The mother's ability to access the knowledge and skills required in baby care through practical videos whenever she needs it will support self-efficacy and contribute to reducing the level of anxiety after discharge. Paediatric nursing staff should develop discharge education plans that include personalised and psychological support to improve post-discharge newborn home care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06359288.