Experiences of Care After Neonatal Death in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Charlotte Wilson, Bethany Atkins, Richard Molyneux, Claire Storey, Hannah Blencowe
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What are the experiences of parents, families, and healthcare professionals regarding care after neonatal death in healthcare facilities in LMICs?
Conclusion
Bereavement care themes are similar across geographical locations and can inform the development of guidelines for LMICs.
Supporting Evidence
- 98% of neonatal deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Emotional responses to neonatal death are vital to the grieving process.
- Support from family and friends is crucial during the grieving process.
- Staff training is often inadequate in handling bereavement care.
- Religious beliefs can provide comfort to bereaved parents.
- Connecting with the baby after death is important for closure.
- Economic concerns can hinder access to bereavement care.
- Experiences of care vary significantly across different healthcare settings.
Takeaway
When a baby dies, parents and families feel a lot of sadness and need support, and this study looks at how they are cared for in hospitals in poorer countries.
Methodology
A systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies exploring experiences of care after neonatal death.
Potential Biases
Moderate-to-low risk of bias in included studies.
Limitations
The study is based on a limited number of studies from nine countries, which may not fully represent all experiences.
Participant Demographics
Included parents, families, and healthcare professionals from various LMICs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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