THE EFFECT OF PROVIDING SPIRITUAL CARE BASED ON THE " GHALBE SALIM " MODEL TO MOTHERS ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES OF PREMATURE BABIES HOSPITALIZED IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Mothers with hospitalized neonates require holistic care, especially spiritual care. This study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual care based on the " Ghalbe Salim " model to mothers on some physiological variables of premature neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Fifty mothers with premature babies were selected in two hospitals using convenience sampling methods. In the first step, one hospital was randomly determined as the control groupand the other as the intervention group. The intervention group received spiritual care based on the " Ghalbe Salim " model in 4 sessions. After each session, the neonate was given Kangaroo care. The neonates’ respiration rate, heart rate, and O2 saturation level were measured 10 minutes before, during, and after kangaroo care. In the control group, the mothers performed just kangaroo care and the data were collected from both groups after intervention. In the second step, the hospital of the control group became the intervention and the hospital of the intervention group became the control. Statistical tests including mann-whitney, chi square and repeated measures analysis were used.

In respiration and heart rates, no significant difference was reported between the two groups based on the time change pattern in each session and during the intervals among the sessions (P>0.05). However, a significant difference was seen in oxygen saturation (P< 0.05).

The provision of spiritual care based on “Ghalbe Salim” model improved premature neonates' O2 blood saturation levels. Therefore, it is recommended to take advantage of its benefits on the physical health of neonates by providing spiritual care to the mothers with premature neonates.