Comparing Parents’ Experiences of Contact with Their Preterm Infants in NICUs in Türkiye Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare parents' experiences of family-centred developmental care with their preterm infants in neonatal inten- sive care units (NICUs) in Türkiye before, during, and after the COVID-19 pan- demic’s “Normalization Period” (July 2021). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of preterm infants who re- ceived care in NICUs across Türkiye. Participants were recruited via social media, parent support groups, and NICU referrals. Data were collected through a 61-item online questionnaire. Parental visitation frequency and duration, tim- ing of first physical contact, permission and timing for kangaroo mother care (KMC), and parental involvement in infant care were compared across the three periods. Statistical significance was assessed using chi-square tests. Results: A total of 688 parents participated. Only 9.1% could visit their infants as frequently as they wished, 16.3% could touch their infants within the first day, and 4.8% could perform KMC within the first day. During the pandemic, visitation, phys- ical contact, and KMC rates significantly declined. After the Normalization Pe- riod, the percentage of parents unable to visit, touch, or perform KMC returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, the proportion of parents who could visit with- out restrictions, touch their baby within the first day, and frequently perform KMC remained at pandemic levels.Conclusion: While some aspects of parental contact in NICUs recovered after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, full restoration to pre-pandemic levels was not achieved. This highlights the need for policies ensuring unrestricted parental involvement in NICUs to promote op- timal infant development and family-centered care.