Challenges of Infant Care in Mothers With Substance Abuse: A Qualitative Research in Iran

Objectives: Drug abuse among mothers is an issue of utmost significance and lasting impact, as its connection to detrimental consequences for both mothers and children raises a heightened level of concern. Child protection services often refer to children with common psychosocial risk factors, making their care a significant challenge for families. Therefore, understanding and addressing the challenges mothers face in raising their children can help nurses and health science specialists develop effective programs for infant health improvement. The study aimed to identify the challenges faced by mothers with drug abuse in infant care. Materials and Methods: The study, using conventional content analysis, was conducted from February 2022 to December 2023 and involved 20 substance-using mothers aged 17-41 with children under 12 months old. The study utilized semi-structured and in-depth interviews for data collection, and the Graneheim and Lundman method was applied through MAXQDA 2020 software for data analysis. The data collection continued until saturation was reached, and the main classes emerged. Results: The study identified four categories, including perceived threat from social judgments, fear of losing infant custody rights, lack of maternal care knowledge, and inefficiency of support networks, discussing the difficulties faced by mothers who are addicted to drugs concerning their infant care. Conclusions: Recognizing the willingness of drug-using mothers to provide proper care for children, along with gaps in knowledge and support systems, necessitates a well-planned health promotion program for this cohort. Specialists play a crucial role in providing health and care services, particularly for infants.