Mothers' experiences of privacy in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative study

Examining the privacy experiences of mothers in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can play a crucial role in bolstering patient privacy safeguards and elevating the overall quality of health care. However, our understanding of mothers' experiences regarding privacy issues they may face after their infants' hospitalization in the NICU is limited.

This study aimed to investigate the experiences of mothers concerning privacy within NICUs to contribute valuable insights for improving infant care and privacy protection.

A qualitative content analysis using a conventional approach was conducted. A total of 18 participants, with diverse sociodemographic backgrounds, were interviewed using open-ended questions. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken for data analysis.

The study was conducted in the NICU of an urban teaching hospital in Iran.

The study identified four main themes: 'understanding of privacy', 'fluctuating respect for privacy', 'efforts to maintain privacy' and 'privacy barriers'. Participants viewed privacy as multidimensional, influenced by cultural and religious factors. Respect for privacy varied, with instances of both adherence and violation. Mothers employed strategies to preserve privacy, emphasizing the importance of their infants' privacy. Privacy barriers included hospital attire, the physical space of the NICU, inhomogeneous human resources and insufficient supervision and training.

This study, the first of its kind in the NICU context, provides valuable insights into maternal experiences of privacy. Integrating these insights into practice and future research can contribute to creating more empathetic and privacy-respecting NICU environments.

Health care providers can use these findings to enhance support for mothers, potentially reshaping physical spaces and communication practices within NICUs.