Nurses' attitudes towards families in neonatal units

To analyze nurses' attitudes towards families of newborns hospitalized in neonatal units.

This is a survey carried out in ten municipal hospitals in São Paulo. Two questionnaires were applied, one from the sociodemographic profile and the other from the characterization of neonatal units, and the Importância das Famílias nos Cuidados de Enfermagem - Atitudes dos Enfermeiros scale. Parametric tests ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and Tukey's multiple comparison were applied.

The sample consisted of 145 nurses. Most participants had a mean age of 43.7 (± 9.4) years, were female, nursing assistants, have graduated for more than five years and worked at the unit for less than five years. The total score showed a good attitude towards families (77.7), with statistical significance for an 8-hour working day (p=0.004); supervisor position (p=0.027); participation in short-term courses (p=0.029); written protocols on family care (p=0.031).

Although nurses perceive themselves with positive attitudes towards families, it is necessary to invest in training and changes in structure and organizational processes aimed at including families in neonatal units.