Some factors affecting mother-child relationships following low birthweight delivery in a Nigerian sociocultural environment.
Twenty mothers with low birthweight babies, cared for in neonatal unit and kept in incubators (as index group) and 20 mothers with full-term babies (as control group) were studied to determine the extent of maternal separation and deprivation following delivery and the effects of these on mother-child relationships. The population was prospectively sampled and an interview method using a structured questionnaire, was adopted to obtain the information for the study. The result showed a delayed post-partum contact, negative reactions and some delays in maternal attachment in mothers of premature infants. Nevertheless, some degree of adjustment in the mother-child relationship, as shown by some positive perceptions of the infants, took place 6 months after leaving hospital. Other social and cultural factors that may contribute to the negative reactions of the mothers to premature delivery are highlighted.
D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009549:Nigeria; D009769:Object Attachment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012924:Social Conditions; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors