"Effect of a support program on fathers' stress and anxiety during initial NICU encounter with premature infants: a randomized clinical trial".

ABSTRACT:

Background

The birth of a preterm baby and subsequent hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) pose significant emotional challenges for fathers. Fathers often suppress their feelings to fulfill a supportive role, but active participation in caregiving may alleviate their stress and enhance bonding. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a support program on the stress and anxiety of fathers during their first encounter with a preterm baby.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted with a 1:1 allocation ratio at Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran. Eligible fathers (n = 80) of preterm babies were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 40) or a control (n = 40) group using a random block method with block sizes of four. Due t

SUBMITTER: Hasanpoor-Azghady SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12751724 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature