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Sæther KM, Holmberg Fagerlund B, Glavin K, Jøranson N. First-Time Parents' Support Needs and Perceived Support From a Child Health Service With the Integrated New Families Home Visiting Programme. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:20-32. [PMID: 37923302 PMCID: PMC10714706 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231208972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood is complex and influenced by interacting factors related to society, the parents and the child. Professional support is considered to be one of the societal factors affecting this transition by facilitating parents' sense of confidence and their competence as parents. In this study, we aimed to explore first-time parents' support needs and experiences of support from a child health service with the integrated New Families home visiting programme, in the context of their transition to parenthood in the first year postnatally. Interpretive description guided this qualitative study. Six couples and one mother, all well-educated and employed, were interviewed individually (N = 13). The parents were recruited from the research project 'New Families - Innovation and Development of the Child Health Service in Oslo'. We found that being a first-time parent is perceived as overwhelming and that defining support needs may be challenging, particularly in the first period postnatally. In addition, the support needs are constantly changing due to the complexity of interacting factors and the ongoing development of confidence in the parental role. Retrospectively, the parents were satisfied overall with the support from the child health service. The home visit during pregnancy facilitated management and relational and informational continuity. However, we identified a need for even more proactive information provision and communication to optimise the service's availability and efficiency postnatally. In addition, the importance of peers and of approaching both mothers and fathers must be acknowledged in facilitating parental confidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kari Glavin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Jøranson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
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Brekke M, Småstuen MC, Glavin K, Amro A, Solberg B, Øygarden AMU, Sæther KM, Haugland T. The impact of New Families home visiting program on first-time mothers' quality of life and its association with social support: a non-randomized controlled study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2457. [PMID: 38066502 PMCID: PMC10704737 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transition to motherhood is characterized by physical, psychological, social, and relational changes. Quality of life (QoL) changes substantially during this transition. Higher QoL is associated with social support, essential for coping with the challenges and changes of becoming a mother. An early universal home visiting program (New Families) is developed to strengthen and support families. The study aims to evaluate the impact of New Families on first-time mothers' QoL and to investigate the association between their QoL, social support, and selected possible predictive factors. METHODS A prospective non-randomized controlled study with parallel group design. Child Health Services in five city districts of Oslo were matched in intervention and control groups. First-time mothers were allocated based on the residential area and assessed at pregnancy week 28 (N = 228), six weeks postpartum (N = 184), and three months postpartum (N = 167). Measures of the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief, Perinatal Infant Care Social Support Scale, and background variables were collected from October 2018 to June 2020. Multivariate linear regression models were applied to examine intervention impact and assess associations. RESULTS Our data did not reveal a significant association between New Families intervention and the QoL levels of first-time mothers at three months postpartum. Thus, we analyzed the whole sample together. Emotional support was significantly associated with higher QoL levels in the physical health (B = 0.19, 95%CI [0.04 to 0.34]) and social relationships (B = 0.40, 95%CI [0.20 to 0.60]) domains. Appraisal support was significantly associated with higher QoL levels in the psychological (B = 0.34, 95%CI [0.18 to 0.50]) and environment (B = 0.33, 95%CI [0.19 to 0.48]) domains. QoL levels in pregnancy were significantly associated with QoL levels postpartum, showing small to medium effect size (ES = 0.30 to 0.55), depending on the domain. CONCLUSIONS Further research, including qualitative interviews, could provide more insights into the impact of New Families on QoL. A positive association between QoL levels in pregnancy and postpartum suggests that postnatal interventions targeting improved QoL could potentially improve postpartum QoL. Emotional and appraisal support seems beneficial for first-time mothers' QoL and could be provided and facilitated by public health nurses. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrial.gov NCT04162626.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Brekke
- Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway.
| | - Milada Cvancarova Småstuen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway
- Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kari Glavin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway
| | - Amin Amro
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway
| | - Beate Solberg
- Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kristin Marie Sæther
- Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway
| | - Trude Haugland
- Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University, Postboks 184 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway
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Chin KZ, Marklund B, Kylén S, Dalemo S. Extended prenatal and postnatal home visits in a vulnerable area in Sweden-a pilot study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2023; 41:486-494. [PMID: 37910395 PMCID: PMC11001331 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2277756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite close to all-embracing access to child healthcare, health divides exist among children in Sweden. Home visits to families with new-born babies are a cost-effective way to identify and strengthen vulnerable families. An extended postnatal home visiting programme has been implemented in a disadvantaged suburb in Stockholm with positive results. DESIGN Longitudinal, prospective study and register study from medical records. SETTING A vulnerable rural area in Sweden. INTERVENTION A parent advisor from the social services and a midwife performed an extended home visiting programme during the end of pregnancy to mothers of children born between 1 May 2018 and 31 May 2019. During these children's first 15 months, three additional home visits were made by a parent advisor and a child healthcare nurse. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the health of the children and the mothers. SUBJECTS All firstborn children at the study site (N = 30 study, N = 55 control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The proportion participating in visits to the child and maternal healthcare services, children being breastfed and receiving childhood vaccinations. RESULTS There were fewer absentees in the study group during routine check-up visits (93 vs. 84%). More mothers in the study group attended the check-up with the midwives (90 vs. 80%). More children in the study group were breastfed (90 vs. 67%) and received all vaccinations (100 vs. 96%). CONCLUSION Supplementing the extended home visiting programme with a visit at the end of pregnancy seems to contribute to fewer absentees at routine visits for both mothers and children; furthermore, more children were breastfed and vaccinated compared with the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Zhe Chin
- Närhälsan Guldvingen Healthcare Centre, Lidköping, Sweden
- R&D Centre Skaraborg, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Bertil Marklund
- Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- R&D Centre Fyrbodal, Vänersborg, Sweden
| | - Sven Kylén
- R&D Centre Fyrbodal, Vänersborg, Sweden
- Centre on Health Care Improvement and Innovation, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sofia Dalemo
- Närhälsan Guldvingen Healthcare Centre, Lidköping, Sweden
- R&D Centre Skaraborg, Skövde, Sweden
- Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Leirbakk MJ, Engebretsen E, Dolvik S, Bratli E, Wiborg K, Magnus JH. Changing praxis from within - an in-depth qualitative exploration of how home visits affected statutory service at a Child Health Clinic. J Pediatr Nurs 2023; 72:e27-e32. [PMID: 37349227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to define critical domains of salutogenic home visits conducted by public health nurses, and how thevisits can supplement a universal Child Health Clinic. DESIGN AND METHOD A qualitative grounded theory study was conducted among three public health nurses in Stovner district, Oslo, Norway. The nurses were followed for 26 months offering home visits to all first-time parents. Data from focus group discussions, monthly reflection notes and bi-weekly meeting minutes were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Three critical themes emerged: building trust, prenatal visits and maintaining a salutogenic, strength-based approach. Extended public health nurse autonomy facilitated tailored support based on individual family needs. This promoted proportionate universalism to naturally be the gradient of the home visit intensity and kept actions at a universal level. CONCLUSIONS The key component of family access and utilizing support was building and maintaining trust. Conducting prenatal visits was an important part of the nurse-family relationship, positively affecting later Child Health Clinic follow-up and continued care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Critical domains and benefits of practicing home visits emerged in this study and disclosed important aspects necessary for family access and utilizing support. By changing the point of entry from postnatal to prenatal, public health nurses-family relationship gets an important head start, positively affecting later follow-up and continued care. A tailored support to new families without using a predefined agenda and a salutogenic, strength-based philosophy can fit the public health nurses' professional beliefs and extend their autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Leirbakk
- City of Oslo, Department of Health, 0985 Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, Department of Health and Sciences, Harald Schjelderups hus, Forskningsveien 3a, 0373 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Eivind Engebretsen
- University of Oslo, Department of Health and Sciences, Harald Schjelderups hus, Forskningsveien 3a, 0373 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Stina Dolvik
- City of Oslo, Department of Health, 0985 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Bratli
- City of Oslo, District Stovner, Child health services, 0985 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kersti Wiborg
- City of Oslo, District Stovner, Child health services, 0985 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jeanette H Magnus
- University of Oslo, Management Section, Klaus Torgårds vei 3, Sogn Arena, 0372 Oslo, Norway.
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Sacks E, Finlayson K, Brizuela V, Crossland N, Ziegler D, Sauvé C, Langlois ÉV, Javadi D, Downe S, Bonet M. Factors that influence uptake of routine postnatal care: Findings on women's perspectives from a qualitative evidence synthesis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270264. [PMID: 35960752 PMCID: PMC9374256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective postnatal care is important for optimal care of women and newborns-to promote health and wellbeing, identify and treat clinical and psychosocial concerns, and to provide support for families. Yet uptake of formal postnatal care services is low and inequitable in many countries. As part of a larger study examining the views of women, partners, and families requiring both routine and specialised care, we analysed a subset of data on the views and experiences of women related to routine postnatal care. METHODS We undertook a qualitative evidence synthesis, using a framework analysis approach. We included studies published up to December 2019 with extractable qualitative data, with no language restriction. We focused on women in the general population and their accounts of routine postnatal care utilization. We searched MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBM-Reviews, and grey literature. Two reviewers screened each study independently; inclusion was agreed by consensus. Data abstraction and scientific quality assessment were carried out using a study-specific extraction form and established quality assessment tools. The analysis framework was developed a priori based on previous knowledge and research on the topic and adapted. Due to the number of included texts, the final synthesis was developed inductively from the initial framework by iterative sampling of the included studies, until data saturation was achieved. Findings are presented by high versus low/middle income country, and by confidence in the finding, applying the GRADE-CERQual approach. FINDINGS Of 12,678 papers, 512 met the inclusion criteria; 59 articles were sampled for analysis. Five themes were identified: access and availability; physical and human resources; external influences; social norms; and experience of care. High confidence study findings included the perceived low value of postnatal care for healthy women and infants; concerns around access and quality of care; and women's desire for more emotional and psychosocial support during the postnatal period. These findings highlight multiple missed opportunities for postnatal care promotion and ensuring continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS Factors that influence women's utilization of postnatal care are interlinked, and include access, quality, and social norms. Many women recognised the specific challenges of the postnatal period and emphasised the need for emotional and psychosocial support in this time, in addition to clinical care. While this is likely a universal need, studies on mental health needs have predominantly been conducted in high-income settings. Postnatal care programmes and related research should consider these multiple drivers and multi-faceted needs, and the holistic postpartum needs of women and their families should be studied in a wider range of settings. REGISTRATION This protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database for systematic reviews: CRD42019139183.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Sacks
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Finlayson
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Brizuela
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Crossland
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Ziegler
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Caroline Sauvé
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Étienne V. Langlois
- Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Dena Javadi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Soo Downe
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Mercedes Bonet
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland
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Perrotta C, Romero M, Sguassero Y, Straw C, Gialdini C, Righetti N, Betran AP, Ramos S. Caesarean birth in public maternities in Argentina: a formative research study on the views of obstetricians, midwives and trainees. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053419. [PMID: 35078842 PMCID: PMC8796244 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore obstetricians', midwives' and trainees' perceptions of caesarean section (CS) determinants in the context of public obstetric care services provision in Argentina. Our hypothesis is that known determinants of CS use may differ in settings with limited access to essential obstetric services. SETTING We conducted a formative research study in 19 public maternity hospitals in Argentina. An institutional survey assessed the availability of essential obstetric services. Subsequently, we conducted online surveys and semistructured interviews to assess the opinions of providers on known CS determinants. RESULTS Obstetric services showed an adequate provision of emergency obstetric care but limited services to support women during birth. Midwives, with some exceptions, are not involved during labour. We received 680 surveys from obstetricians, residents and midwives (response rate of 63%) and interviewed 26 key informants. Six out of 10 providers (411, 61%) indicated that the use of CS is associated with the complexities of our caseload. Limited pain management access was deemed a potential contributing factor for CS in adolescents and first-time mothers. Providers have conflicting views on the adequacy of training to deal with complex or prolonged labour. Obstetricians with more than 10 years of clinical experience indicated that fear of litigation was also associated with CS. Overall, there is consensus on the need to implement interventions to reduce unnecessary CS. CONCLUSIONS Public maternity hospitals in Argentina have made significant improvements in the provision of emergency services. The environment of service provision does not seem to facilitate the physiological process of vaginal birth. Providers acknowledged some of these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Perrotta
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mariana Romero
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Health, Economy and Society Department, CEDES, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Cecilia Straw
- School of Social Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, CEDES, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Natalia Righetti
- Health, Economy and Society Department, CEDES, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Pilar Betran
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Silvina Ramos
- Health, Economy and Society Department, CEDES, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bonakdar Tehrani M, Kemp L, Baird K. Culturally and linguistically diverse mothers accessing public health nursing: A narrative review. Public Health Nurs 2021; 39:82-88. [PMID: 34811798 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families with young children are less likely to seek out healthcare services in comparison with the mainstream population. A lack of appropriate access and engagement with public health nursing (PHN) service contributes to major health disparities for CALD mothers. AIM To describe and synthesize the available literature on the factors that promote or hinder CALD mothers' access to and engagement with PHN services and in particular sustained nurse home-visiting (SNHV) programs. This paper identifies gaps and new areas of needed research inquiry to support best provision of PHN for CALD mothers. METHOD A narrative review of the literature was conducted. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus with year of publication between 2000 and 2020. RESULTS Of 463 total articles, 12 met inclusion criteria. The key barriers and facilitators identified were grouped in three major themes. These include mother-related issues, experiences with interpreters, and program and program delivery related issues. DISCUSSION The review demonstrates that CALD mothers with limited English proficiency (LEP) are experiencing multiple challenges in accessing and engaging with PHN and SNHV services. More research is needed to understand nurse-mother-interpreter relationships and policy and practice issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrnoush Bonakdar Tehrani
- Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lynn Kemp
- Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kelly Baird
- Translational Research and Social Innovation (TReSI), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
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Capio CM, Ng CSM, Chung KKH, Jones RA, Sit CHP. Evaluation of a school-based dissemination of the movement guidelines for young children in Hong Kong: Study protocol. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 79:184. [PMID: 34688306 PMCID: PMC8542331 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00705-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background Healthy movement behaviors in early childhood are believed to track to adulthood, potentially imparting protective benefits against non-communicable diseases. Highlighting the collaborative and complementary roles of parents and educators in promoting health of young children, this study aims to enable parents and teachers to successfully promote healthy movement behaviors in young children. Guidelines for physical activity, sedentary screen time, and sleep of children aged 2 to 6 years will be systematically disseminated to parents and teachers of children enrolled in early childhood education centers (ECECs) in Hong Kong. An evaluation will be conducted to assess the implementation process and the outcomes of the dissemination of said guidelines. Methods The evaluation will include formative and summative components to examine the implementation (i.e., process evaluation) and the outcomes (i.e., outcome evaluation). Participants include teachers, parents, and children from ECECs in Hong Kong. The process evaluation will be guided by the RE-AIM framework (i.e., reach, efficacy, adaptation, implementation, maintenance). Data gathering and analysis will take a mixed-methods triangulation design - convergence model. The outcome evaluation consists of a non-randomized observational study, using quantitative data from questionnaires and accelerometers. The primary outcome to be measured is the extent to which children meet the guidelines for physical activity, sedentary screen time, and sleep; the secondary outcome is teachers’ and parents’ knowledge and awareness of the guidelines. Discussion Young children who engage in healthy movement behaviors are likely to become adults who will have the disposition to engage in behaviors that have protective effects against non-communicable diseases. The findings of this evaluation are expected to contribute to improving the strategies of systems and government agencies that aspire to promote healthy movement behaviors of young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Capio
- Early Childhood Education Department, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Health Science Department, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines.
| | - Catalina S M Ng
- Early Childhood Education Department, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin K H Chung
- Early Childhood Education Department, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rachel A Jones
- School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Cindy H P Sit
- Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Solberg B, Glavin K, Berg RC, Olsvold N. Norwegian fathers' experiences with a home visiting program. Public Health Nurs 2021; 39:126-134. [PMID: 34687089 DOI: 10.1111/phn.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore fathers' experiences with a Norwegian home visiting program during the prenatal period and the first-year postpartum. DESIGN Qualitative design with interpretive description (ID) as the methodological approach. SAMPLE Individual interviews with fathers (n = 13) who received home visits by a public health nurse (PHN) within the New Families home visiting program. MEASURES Interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview-guide, which contained open-ended questions encouraging informants to reflect on their experiences with home visits. The analysis of the data was informed by content analysis. RESULTS Two main themes that reflect the fathers' experiences emerged: (1) The importance of being on their home ground captures the fathers' experience of receiving home visits and building a trusting relationship with the PHN. (2) Including fathers in the home visit represents their thoughts about the content and focus of the home visits. CONCLUSIONS Fathers experienced the universal New Families home visiting program as an important contribution towards a more available and tailored service, with the home environment as a suitable arena for developing a trusting relationship with the PHN. However, the fathers often felt insufficiently included in the home visits, with only scant attention towards them as independent caregivers, their emotional reactions, roles, and family relationships. Pre-birth home visits might contribute to strengthening preparations for fatherhood and increase fathers' engagement in the Child Health Service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Solberg
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kari Glavin
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rigmor C Berg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nina Olsvold
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
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Bäckström C, Thorstensson S, Pihlblad J, Forsman AC, Larsson M. Parents' Experiences of Receiving Professional Support Through Extended Home Visits During Pregnancy and Early Childhood-A Phenomenographic Study. Front Public Health 2021; 9:578917. [PMID: 33692979 PMCID: PMC7937614 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.578917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: While becoming a parent can be challenging for all, it can particularly be challenging for those parents and children who are in a vulnerable situation—e.g., in families whose members have problems related to health, relationships, or socioeconomic status. It is essential for health care professionals to identify the more vulnerable families at an early stage. Home visits are one cost-effective way of identifying and supporting such families. This study describes the parental experiences of an intervention that involves professional support in the form of extended home visits. The aim of the study is to describe the parents' understanding of their experiences of receiving professional support through extended home visits both during pregnancy and the first 15 months of their child's life. Methods/Design: A phenomenographic approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 parents who had received the intervention. The interviews were analyzed using the seven-step phenomenography model described by Sjöström and Dahlgren. Results: The following three descriptive categories emerged from the analysis: (1) conceptions concerning the meaning of the physical environment, (2) conceptions concerning extended home visits promoting feelings of self-confidence in the parental role, and (3) conceptions concerning extended home visits promoting parental participation and relations. Conclusion and Clinical Implications: Extended home visits as a form of professional support appear to promote parental self-confidence in parenting ability, giving parents a feeling of security that facilitates conversation with professionals. Children and their entire families had natural roles during home visits, which allowed the children to behave more characteristically. Furthermore, the home visits were understood to facilitate social support through social activities at the child health center as well as integration into Swedish society for migrant parents. Professional support should be adjusted to the unique individual needs of parents, which demands a variety of supportive interventions—for example, reorganizing one or two of the regular clinical visits currently being scheduled as home visits instead.
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Leirbakk MJ, Magnus JH, Torper J, Zeanah P. Look to Norway: Serving new families and infants in a multiethnic population. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:659-672. [PMID: 31318444 PMCID: PMC6973293 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite recognition that immigrant women face significant health challenges, addressing the healthcare needs of immigrants is a source of debate in the United States. Lack of adequate healthcare for immigrants is recognized as a social justice issue, and other countries have incorporated immigrants into their healthcare services. Oslo, the fastest growing capital in Europe, is rapidly shifting to a heterogeneous society prompting organizational action and change. The New Families Program serves first-time mothers and their infants in an Oslo district serving 53% minorities from 142 countries. Anchored in salutogenic theory, the program aims to support the parent-child relationship, children's development and social adaptation, and to prevent stress-related outcomes. Formative research has informed the successful program development and implementation within the existing maternal and child healthcare service. Implications for addressing maternal and child health needs of an immigrant population are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Leirbakk
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway and City of Oslo, Agency for Health
| | - Jeanette H Magnus
- Section for Leadership, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway and Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Johan Torper
- Department for Health and Social Services, City of Oslo, Norway
| | - Paula Zeanah
- Picard Center, College of Nursing, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
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