Effects of Newborn Care Education for First-time Fathers on Their Knowledge and Confidence in Newborn Care at Postpartum One Month

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of newborn care education for fathers on their knowledge and confidence in newborn care at postpartum one month. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest posttest design was used. The participants were 53 first-time fathers of newborns, 27 in experimental group, and 26 in control group. They were recruited at the nursery of one municipal hospital in Seoul. For the experimental group, a 50-minute education on newborn care using video, verbal education, demonstration and practice were provided prior to discharge. Fathers' knowledge and confidence in newborn care and their satisfaction with the education program were measured at postpartum one month. RESULTS: The fathers in the experimental group showed significantly higher knowledge (t=-4.51, p<.001), and confidence in newborn care (t=-2.29, p=.026) compared to the control group at postpartum one month. Fathers in the experimental group had a satisfaction score of 27.37+/-2.73 immediately after the education, and 25.30+/-3.40 at postpartum one month. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that newborn care education for first-time fathers is an effective method in enhancing the level of knowledge and confidence in newborn care. It can be used in the nursery department before discharge as a useful nursing intervention.