COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION NEEDS OF PARENTS OF PRETERM INFANTS IN A TERTIARY HEALTH FACILITY IN NIGERIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

Introduction/background: Parents of hospitalized preterm infants often experience a range of emotions and seek accurate information about their child's health progress. In low-resource settings, there is limited data on the specific communication and information needs of these parents during hospitalization. While some studies in Africa have identified poor communication as a factor affecting parental care experiences, few have explored solutions from the parent's perspective.

Objective: This study aimed to document the information and communication needs of parents of preterm infants in our neonatal unit, focusing on their preferences regarding content, timeliness, and approach.

Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach with purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. Focus group discussions were conducted with 21 parents of preterm infants attending the follow-up clinic at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe between August 2023 and April 2024. Data were transcribed and managed using NVivo version 1.0. Both deductive and inductive coding approaches were used to identify emerging themes.

Results: Parents expressed a preference for receiving information both at the time of admission and daily during ward rounds. They emphasized the importance of involving both parents, particularly fathers, in counselling sessions. Information should be tailored to each family's unique needs, recognizing that not all parents desire full disclosure of their child's condition. Additionally, all interactions should be conducted with respect.

Conclusions: Parents of preterm infants desire practical, timely, and individualized information, with a focus on paternal involvement and respectful communication. Leveraging the routine of the neonatal unit to meet these needs could enhance the overall care experience.