Nimesha Chamidani Gamhewage¹, Rishard Mohamed², Senanyake Hemantha², Gamaathige Nalin³, Janet Loshika², Mariani Ilaria⁴, Lazzerini Marzia⁴
1- University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka
2- Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
3- De Soysa Maternity Hospital for Women, Sri Lanka
4- WHO Collaborating Centre for Maternal and Child Health, Italy
Corresponding Author:
Nimesha Chamidani Gamhewage (
nimeshagamhewage@sjp.ac.lk)
Abstract Body
Background: Maternal participation in neonatal care is a key component of family-centred care (FCC) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and is associated with improved neonatal outcomes and maternal wellbeing. However, maternal involvement in Sri Lankan NICUs remains limited. A baseline assessment conducted in two tertiary care Sri Lankan NICUs identified low levels of maternal participation.
Objective: To evaluate the interim impact of targeted interventions designed to improve maternal participation in neonatal care in the same settings.
Methods: A prospective quality improvement study was conducted in two tertiary care NICUs in Sri Lanka. Maternal participation was assessed using the Index of Parent Participation in NICU (IPP-NICU) tool. Mothers of neonates admitted for ≥48 hours were recruited. Baseline data from the earlier study included 300 mothers. Quality improvement interventions included staff training, structured maternal education, and supervised maternal participation in care conducted over six months. An interim reassessment was done during next three months among 83 mothers using the same methodology .
Results: Median IPP-NICU scores increased significantly from 13 to 20 (p