Family-centred care in the African Neonatal Network

Authors

  • Tendai Mutema African Neonatal Network
  • Marie R. Abraham
  • Zereniah Mungate
  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse
  • Victoria Nakibuuka
  • Pamela Henderson
  • Veronica Moses
  • Loveness Nya Kwima
  • Nyaradzo Nyamburi
  • Olufunke Bolaji
  • John Baptist Nkuranga
  • Misrak Tadesse
  • Helina Selam
  • Erika M. Edwards
  • Danielle E.Y. Ehret
  • Alexander G. Stevenson

Keywords:

Family-Centered Care; Patient-Centered Care; Neonatal Intensive Care Units; Infant, Newborn; Premature, Family; Counseling; Patient Satisfaction; Africa South of the Sahara; Global Health

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Family centred care (FCC) fosters collaboration between neonatal healthcare providers and families to improve outcomes.  Despite global recognition, FCC implementation in African neonatal intensive care units remains inconsistent due to infrastructural, cultural, and policy-related challenges.
Methods: Fourteen hospitals in the African Neonatal Network responded to an annual facility survey and a health facility survey co -developed by faculty in the African Neonatal Network and Vermont Oxford Network. All  analyses use descriptive statistics.
Results: Significant disparities exist in parental access: 29% of hospitals hinder access to mothers and 79% hinder access to fathers. Similarly,  visitation policies restrict sibling (93%) and extended family (35%) access,  potentially impacting parental stress and bonding. Despite these restrictions, 94% of hospitals expect families to provide daily infant care. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is universally allowed (100%), yet activities  such as bathing (52.9%), remain inconsistently permitted. Rooming-in facilities, essential for parental involvement, are available in only 41% of  hospitals. Forty seven percent of hospitals provide private counselling  spaces. While 71% of hospitals conduct patient satisfaction surveys, only  12% involve family representatives in hospital meetings and protocol developments. Cultural resistance to allowing fathers (29%) and other  family members (12%) to participate in KMC further hinders full  implementation.
Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for policy reforms,  enhanced staff education on FCC, and improved infrastructure to facilitate  inclusive FCC adoption. Addressing these challenges will help bridge the  gap between evidence-based neonatal care and real-world  implementation, ultimately improving neonatal outcomes and fostering stronger family engagement in care processes.

Author Biographies

  • Tendai Mutema, African Neonatal Network

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Marie R. Abraham

    Institute for Patient- and Family-
    Centered Care, McLean, Virginia,
    USA

  • Zereniah Mungate

    Empowered Futures, Alberta,
    Canada

  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse

    St. Paul’s Hospital Millenium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Victoria Nakibuuka

    St. Francis Nsambya Hospital,
    Kampala, Uganda

  • Pamela Henderson

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Veronica Moses

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Loveness Nya Kwima

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Nyaradzo Nyamburi

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Olufunke Bolaji

    Federal Teaching Hospital,
    Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria

  • John Baptist Nkuranga

    University of Rwanda/African
    Health Sciences University,
    Kigali, Rwanda

  • Misrak Tadesse

    Vermont Oxford Network and
    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine,
    Baltimore, Maryland

  • Helina Selam

    Vermont Oxford Network,
    Burlington, Vermont, USA

  • Erika M. Edwards

    Robert Larner, MD, College of
    Medicine, University of Vermont,
    Burlington, Vermont, USA

  • Danielle E.Y. Ehret

    Robert Larner, MD, College of
    Medicine, University of Vermont,
    Burlington, Vermont, USA

  • Alexander G. Stevenson

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe

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Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Family-centred care in the African Neonatal Network. (2025). JOURNAL OF AFRICAN NEONATOLOGY, 3(3), 60-67. https://janeonatology.org/index.php/jan/article/view/175

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