[The effects of the systemic follow up health care program on the health promotion and the risk reduction in premature infants and their mothers].
OBJECTIVE
This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of a systemic follow-up care program on health promotion and risk reduction in 64 high-risk infants (HRI) including premature infants and their mothers.


METHODS
The intervention consisted of systemic NICU education, tele-counseling and 3 home visits in 6 months. The subjects were divided into either the intervention group or the control group receiving the conventional education without the tele-counseling and home visiting. Infant health promotion was measured using physical assessment, types of health problems, reflexes, OPD visiting history, DDST, immunization, feeding assessment, Infant death rate, etc. Maternal self-esteem, postpartum depression and family function were measured using the maternal self-report inventory (MRI), EPDS, and family apgar score (Fapgar), retrospectively.


RESULTS
All premature infants in the intervention group were in the normal range of growth and development, and the regular vaccination schedule. The health problems in the intervention group were addressed early so not to develop into adverse effects. The follow-up program for 6 months showed beneficial effects on MRI, EPDS, and Fapgar.


CONCLUSIONS
A systemic follow-up health care program is beneficial on health promotion and risk reduction in 64 HRI including premature infants and their mothers.
Ahn
Young-Mee
YM
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Korea. aym@inha.ac.kr
D000328:Adult; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior