Effects of Telenursing on Breastfeeding Self-efficacy, Infant Weight and Readmission to Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Mothers of Premature Infants

Background & Aims Telenursing is a strategy for supporting and empowering mothers of premature infants. This study aimed to determine the impact of telenursing on breastfeeding self-efficacy, infant weight, and frequency of readmission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in these mothers. Materials & Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 60 mothers of preterm infants discharged from the NICUs of three hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2022 were selected using a convenience sampling method. They were divided into two groups of 30, including intervention and control. The intervention group received a telenursing program that included breastfeeding consultation, nutritional consultation, and emotional support for eight weeks after discharge, while the control group received the routine post-discharge follow-up program. After the study, infant weight gain, NICU readmission, and breastfeeding self-efficacy (using Dennis’s breastfeeding self-efficacy scale) were assessed. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent t-test were used. Results The mean breastfeeding self-efficacy score differed significantly between the two groups after intervention, with a mean score of 154.4±4.3 in the intervention group and 124.8±5.30 in the control group. In terms of infant weight, significant differences were reported between pre-test and post-test weights in each group (P<0.05), but no significant difference in weight gain was observed between the two groups (P=0.45). The NICU readmission rate in the control group was 3.33%, while no readmission was reported in the intervention group. Conclusion Telenursing interventions focused on education, consultation, and addressing infant care challenges via online messaging platforms can significantly enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers and reduce the need for readmission of their infants to NICUs.