Effect of Maternal Empowerment Program on Neonatal Colostomy Complications and Maternal Distress Tolerance

Background: Different complications of colostomy in neonates can lead to readmission, surgery, and even death. Therefore, prevention of colostomy complications highlights the empowerments of mother to care for the neonate and reduce maternal distress. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effect of maternal empowerment programs on neonatal colostomy complications and maternal distress tolerance. Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on ۶۰ mothers of newborns aged ۱-۹۰ days with colostomy referred to two specialized pediatric centers in northeastern Iran in ۲۰۱۹. The control group received a training session. The intervention group, in addition to one training session, participated in two sessions of maternal empowerment program regarding the care of neonates with a colostomy. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version ۲۱) using ANOVA, Friedman, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The two groups were homogeneous considering demographic variables (P<۰.۰۵). According to the results of the Mann-Whitney U test, the skin complication in the neonates was less in the intervention group than in the control group at all three stages of assessment (P<۰.۰۰۱). Moreover, the repeated measures ANOVA results demonstrated that the effect of group (P=۰.۰۰۶), effect of time (P<۰.۰۰۱), and interaction of group and time (P<۰.۰۰۱) were significant on the total score of distress tolerance. Implications for Practice: Considering the positive effect of the maternal empowerment program on reducing maternal distress and skin complications of colostomy among neonates, it is recommended to use this program in surgical wards and neonatal intensive care unit.