Research Article
The Lived Experience of Mothers Whose Newborns Are Hospitalized with Congenital Anomalies in a Tertiary Hospital in Central Uganda
Joseph Olimporera*,
Karen Drake,
Ketty Holt
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
37-51
Received:
13 November 2025
Accepted:
1 December 2025
Published:
30 May 2026
Abstract: Background: There is minimal literature in Uganda that describes mothers’ experiences of caring for their hospitalized newborns with congenital anomalies. Mothers who give birth to newborns with congenital anomalies often experience untold stress, worry, and fear of losing their newborns to the anomalies. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of Ugandan mothers’ whose newborns are hospitalized as a result of the congenital anomalies. Method: Descriptive phenomenology by Edmund Husserl, was used to explore and describe the universal nature of the mothers’ lived experience during their newborns’ hospitalization. Nine eligible mothers who had their newborns hospitalized with congenital anomalies were sampled, and a semi structured interview guide was used to probe their experiences. The interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed verbatim for analysis using the Colaizzi method of qualitative data analysis. Results: Three major themes emerged and these were mixed feelings and emotions, healthcare concerns and responsibilities, and participants’ support system and support needs. The sub-themes were feeling shocked, feeling worried, feeling scared, unknown cause of the anomalies, anticipation of blame, financial woes, pregnancy concerns, the load of care giving responsibilities, faith during hospitalization, familial support, peer support and encouragement, relationship with the nurses, and support needs. Conclusion: Hospitalization of newborns with congenital anomalies requires nurses to not only take care of the newborns, but also pay close attention and offer care to their mothers during hospitalization. Nurses were crucial in providing and influencing the care mothers received, to reduce their physical and emotional vulnerability during their newborns’ hospitalization. Recommendations: Policy makers should integrate mental health assessments and support services into the maternal and newborn care units. Nurses should actively involve mothers in the care of their newborns by teaching them how to bathe, feed, and bond with the newborns irrespective of the anomalies. Health professionals should also clarify the medications and treatment plans and share the necessary information about congenital anomalies with the mothers. Nurses should collaborate with other professionals to ensure timely screening of congenital anomalies during antenatal, communicate screening results, establish clear referral pathways, and offer guidance on the appropriate delivery facilities for such high-risk pregnancies.
Abstract: Background: There is minimal literature in Uganda that describes mothers’ experiences of caring for their hospitalized newborns with congenital anomalies. Mothers who give birth to newborns with congenital anomalies often experience untold stress, worry, and fear of losing their newborns to the anomalies. This study aimed to explore the lived exper...
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Research Article
Features of the Clinical Course of Fournier's Disease and the Results of an Improved Method of Surgical Treatment
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
52-58
Received:
9 February 2026
Accepted:
25 February 2026
Published:
10 June 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.mls.20260202.12
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Abstract: Fournier's disease was considered a rare pathology, but over the past 10 years this trend has changed, the number of such patients has increased significantly. Mortality with untimely treatment reaches 90% due to the development of septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Purpose of the study. Study the results of BF treatment depending on the timing of admission and the method of surgical treatment. Methods. The results of treatment of 31 patients with BF who were admitted to the Republican Department of Surgical Infection, Makhachkala City Clinical Hospital were analyzed. The main group included 18 (58%), in the control group 13 (42%) The terms of admission of patients to the hospital from the onset of the disease were: during the first day from the onset of the disease, 7 (22.6%) patients were admitted (3 in the main and 4 in the control group); on the second day, 13 (41.95%) were admitted - (7 in the main and 6 control); 8 (32.3%) were admitted within 3 to 4 days (5 in the main and 3 in the control group). Upon admission, patients of both groups were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, where they received complex treatment, which included: antibacterial therapy, protein solutions, correction of electrolyte disorders and sugar, full parenteral and enteral nutrition, anticoagulant and detoxification therapy, proton pump preparations to protect the stomach from stress ulcers, vasopressor support-noradrenaline, if necessary, blood transfusion. In the main group, emergency surgical treatment consisted of a wide autopsy throughout the spread of the process, with the formation of a single open wound. In the control group, surgical treatment consisted of the use of separate incisions, along the spread, with their wide opening. Statistical data processing was performed using Student's t-test and χ2; correlation analysis - using the r criterion. Data processing is performed using Statistic 6.0. Results. The use of the developed surgical treatment method in the integrated treatment of Fournier's disease significantly reduced the number of repeated interventions and reduced the mortality rate to 5.6%, compared with the control group, where the mortality rate was 38.4%. The highest mortality was noted in patients admitted late from the onset of the disease. Conclusion. Wide autopsy throughout the spread of the process with the formation of a single wound in Fournier's disease can significantly improve treatment results and reduce mortality.
Abstract: Fournier's disease was considered a rare pathology, but over the past 10 years this trend has changed, the number of such patients has increased significantly. Mortality with untimely treatment reaches 90% due to the development of septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Purpose of the study. Study the results of BF treatment dependin...
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,
Svelimanov Zulkarnay Aliyevich
