Perfil sociodemográfico de pais de recém-nascidos prematuros internados em um hospital público / Sociodemographic profile of parents of premature newborns admitted to a public hospital

ABSTRACT

Premature birth is unpredictable and can result from social, economic and/or health-related factors for women and newborns. This study aimed to analyze the sociodemographic profile of parents of premature newborns admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Furthermore, it is a descriptive, exploratory, and quantitative study, carried out from March to August 2019 in an NICU. Demographic, socioeconomic, and data related to the newborn and the pregnancy process were collected with a questionnaire containing closed and open questions, which were analyzed and compared with related studies. 31 mothers and 19 fathers participated. Most of them were young and completed high school. Almost all fathers had paying jobs, while only half of mothers worked, and not all of them contributed to social security (INSS). Fathers received 30% more than mothers, even with similar functions and working hours. 47% of the families lived with an income of up to 2 minimum wages per month. Half of the pregnancies were unplanned. Births with gestational ages (GA) ≥ 32 weeks predominated. On average, the mothers had more than 8 prenatal consultations and displayed hypertension as the most prevalent maternal risk factor. Knowing the families of newborns can support measures to promote maternal and child health.