Needs Assessment of Family With Neonates Hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract Background: The neonate’s birth and subsequent hospitalization cause families to experience various needs. Assessing the family needs can lead identify the real needs of parents, provide qualitative services and implement family-centered care by nurses. The aim of this study was to assess the needs of families with neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 parents of neonates admitted to NICU in northern Iran in 2018- 2019. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire of parents and neonates and NICU Family Needs Inventory (NFNI) of Ward with 5 dimensions of proximity, assurance, information, comfort and support. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Results: The most important dimensions of family needs, proximity to infant (93.59%), information (90.53%), assurance (89.18%), comfort (86.70%) and support (80.78%).Comparison indicated that the dimensions of need including assurance of multiparous parents (P<0.001) and comfort in parents with term infants (P<0.02) were significantly more than the rest. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the most important dimension of family needs is proximity to infants. Therefore, it is recommended that the relevant authorities should take effective measures to provide parent-infant proximity.