“I have to be strong”: A qualitative study of parental bereavement experiences in Uganda following the death of their baby

IF 4.4 2区 医学 Q1 NURSING Women and Birth Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.wombi.2025.101890
Georgia Stevenson , Stella Namukwaya , Joseph Katongole , Victor Tumukunde , Hannah Blencowe , Janet Seeley , Cally J. Tann , Joy E. Lawn , Diana Elbourne , Melissa M. Medvedev
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Abstract

Background

The death of a child is profoundly distressing for parents, often leading to acute grief and psychological complications. Most bereavement research is from high-income countries, with limited generalisability to low- and middle-income contexts where 98 % of newborn deaths occur. We explore the experiences of parents in Uganda following the death of their baby.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 bereaved parents whose newborn participated in the OMWaNA trial and died while enrolled or shortly thereafter. In-depth interviews explored the experience of bereavement, the psychosocial impact, and economic consequences. Data were analysed using a deductive thematic approach.

Results

The death of a baby was consistently associated with parental stress, information delays, and uncertainty regarding the cause of death. While respondents reported a period of acute grief, many relied on their faith and social support to cope. Expectations for bereavement care from health professionals were low and instead parents focused on health professionals’ efforts to keep their baby alive and advice regarding future pregnancies. Despite financial precarity, costs and loss of income, many parents appeared comforted that they had done all they could to ensure the baby’s survival.

Conclusion

These findings illustrate the importance of understanding parental bereavement in different settings and circumstances. Rather than health worker-led models of active bereavement care, respondents relied on social support, their faith, and a focus on future pregnancies to ‘become strong.’ Further research to understand the longer-term impact of bereavement, men’s experiences and coping strategies could inform more contextually appropriate bereavement care.
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来源期刊
Women and Birth
Women and Birth NURSING-OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
CiteScore
7.20
自引率
13.20%
发文量
371
审稿时长
27 days
期刊介绍: Women and Birth is the official journal of the Australian College of Midwives (ACM). It is a midwifery journal that publishes on all matters that affect women and birth, from pre-conceptual counselling, through pregnancy, birth, and the first six weeks postnatal. All papers accepted will draw from and contribute to the relevant contemporary research, policy and/or theoretical literature. We seek research papers, quality assurances papers (with ethical approval) discussion papers, clinical practice papers, case studies and original literature reviews. Our women-centred focus is inclusive of the family, fetus and newborn, both well and sick, and covers both healthy and complex pregnancies and births. The journal seeks papers that take a woman-centred focus on maternity services, epidemiology, primary health care, reproductive psycho/physiology, midwifery practice, theory, research, education, management and leadership. We also seek relevant papers on maternal mental health and neonatal well-being, natural and complementary therapies, local, national and international policy, management, politics, economics and societal and cultural issues as they affect childbearing women and their families. Topics may include, where appropriate, neonatal care, child and family health, women’s health, related to pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, including lactation. Interprofessional papers relevant to midwifery are welcome. Articles are double blind peer-reviewed, primarily by experts in the field of the submitted work.
期刊最新文献
Editorial Board “How are you going to remove that cobweb?” Midwifery Services Framework implementation in Zambia: A case study “I have to be strong”: A qualitative study of parental bereavement experiences in Uganda following the death of their baby Who is in the centre? A qualitative study on midwives’ experience of working with central fetal monitoring system Barriers and facilitators for implementation of continuity of midwife care: A review of reviews
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