‘We may not understand at the first go, because we are not medics’- A qualitative study on the communication and information needs of parents of preterm newborns in a tertiary health facility in northeast Nigeria

Background While the need for hospitalisation in preterm newborns is a well-recognized source of stress and anxiety for most parents, the communication and informational needs of parents during this period remain vastly understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective This study aimed to investigate the specific information and communication needs of parents with preterm infants in the newborn unit, focusing on their preferences regarding content, timeliness, and communication approaches. Additionally, the study sought suggestions for enhancing communication during hospitalization Methods This study was carried out in a tertiary health facility in Northeast Nigeria between August 2023 to April 2024. We used a phenomenological approach in this qualitative study and conducted three Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with 20 parents of preterms recruited at the follow-up clinic until data saturation was achieved. The FGDs were recorded, transcribed, and thematic analysis was done. Data was managed using Nvivo version 1.0 Results The main themes that emerged were pragmatism in information sharing such as the available parent receiving the information, paternal involvement to enhance shared decision-making and cultural sensitivity, leveraging the routine of the unit to avoid multiple sessions, individualizing of parents based on their strengths and weaknesses and lastly, respectful care Conclusion It is important to tailor information to each family's specific needs, rather than assume that all parents wish to be fully informed about their child's condition. This personalized approach ensures that information is provided in a way that respects the parents' preferences and emotional readiness. • Main findings – Information sharing about the health of a hospitalised preterm should be pragmatic, personalised and context-specific • Added knowledge – The peculiarity of our setting such as gender roles/power dynamics, cultural norms, absence of universal health coverage and overwhelmed health systems give rise to specific challenges with communication between health workers and the parents. • Global health impact for policy and action- in the care of hospitalised newborns, parents are a valuable resource who can offer insights and suggestions to improve the quality of care.