EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POSTPARTUM FOLLOW-UP CARE ON THE ANXIETY LEVELS OF MOTHERS WITH LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT BABIES

Mothers with low-birth-weight babies are at the risk of psychological problems after delivery. The problems these mothers experience include anxiety, depression, stress, and loss of control over their child's care. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of postpartum follow-up care on the anxiety level of mothers with low birth weight babies.

The present study is an experimental study that was conducted in 2019 on 90 mothers with low birth weight babies, born in Razi Hospital, Marand, Iran. People who met the inclusion criteria were selected through available sampling, and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The data collection tool included a demographic information registration sheet and a standard Spielberger questionnaire, which was completed before and one month after the intervention by the researcher's assistant through an interview. The intervention included the provision of follow-up postnatal care for the mother and the baby, which was carried out based on the guidelines for home care of the infant on days 3-5, 14-15, 21-28, and 30-40. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 software and using descriptive and inferential statistical tests (chi-square test and t-test). A significance level of P<0.05 was considered.

At the birth, variables such as the average weight of babies, mother's education, amount of income, baby's sex, birth rank, and the anxiety level of mothers had no significant difference in two groups. After the care intervention, the mean anxiety of mothers showed a significant difference (P<0.001).

The care program and follow-up care after delivery is effective in reducing the anxiety of mothers who have low birth weight babies. Therefore, it seems necessary to use this strategy.