Nurses' Awareness of Preterm Neonates' Sleep in the NICU

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Pediatric sleep science
• Neurodevelopment

Background:

• Sleep is a critical physiological state for neonates, essential for brain development, temperature regulation, and energy conservation.
• Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) present environmental challenges like noise and light that disrupt infant sleep patterns.
• Disrupted sleep in neonates, especially preterm infants, can negatively impact neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge level of NICU nurses regarding neonatal sleep.
• To identify areas where nurses' understanding of infant sleep needs improvement.
• To emphasize the importance of sleep for brain development in preterm infants within the NICU setting.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study was conducted using a census sampling method of all NICU nurses at Ali-ibn-Abitaleb hospital.
• A 10-question questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data and assess knowledge on active sleep (AS) cycles, induction methods, and specifications in neonates.
• Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 with descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• Nurses' correct response rates varied significantly across topics: 24% for AS cycles, 20% for AS in neonates, 48% for the role of sleep in energy conservation, and 92% for ideal noise levels.
• The findings indicate a generally low level of knowledge among nurses concerning crucial aspects of neonatal sleep.

Conclusions:

• Nurses exhibit a low level of knowledge regarding neonatal sleep, highlighting a need for further education.
• Understanding the importance of sleep, particularly for preterm infants in the NICU, is essential for all nursing staff.
• Nurses play a pivotal role in facilitating and protecting neonatal sleep, thereby supporting optimal brain development.