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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5240-7668

AccessType

Campus-Only Access for Five (5) Years

Document Type

dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Program

Nursing

Year Degree Awarded

2022

Month Degree Awarded

September

First Advisor

Carrie-Ellen Briere

Second Advisor

Cynthia Jacelon

Third Advisor

Lindiwe Sibeko

Subject Categories

Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Other Nursing | Pediatric Nursing

Abstract

ABSTRACT THAI NOVICE NURSES’ LIVED EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF BREASTFEEDING AND HUMAN MILK IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU) SEPTEMBER 2022 TIPPAWAN SRICHALERM, B.N.S., MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY M.N.S., MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Carrie-Ellen Briere Breastfeeding and human milk have health benefits for newborn infants, particularly those who are sick. However, breastfeeding rates and human milk receipt among sick infants in Thailand are still low; thus, breastfeeding support is required for Thai mothers of premature infants. New nurses can be a valuable part of the healthcare support system, and they can have the largest impact on the promotion of breastfeeding in the future. The objective of this study is to investigate the lived experiences and perspectives of Thai novice nurses on supporting breastfeeding and human milk receipt in the NICU. Exploring and understanding the nurses’ experiences and attitudes toward breastfeeding could help effectively develop the breastfeeding education and support system, resulting in providing optimal breastfeeding practices and support to NICU mothers. A descriptive phenomenological approach developed by Husserl and modified by Colaizzi was applied to explore this phenomenon. The purposive sampling invited those who are currently Thai novice nurses to participate in online interviews over the Zoom program using semi-structured interview protocol conducted with the study participants’ native language. Data analysis employed Colaizzi’s method and included qualitative coding by using thematic analysis for emerging themes. Member checks, peer review, and self-refection were applied to ensure the validity and trustworthiness of the study results, and back-translation was also used as a quality and accuracy assurance. Five major themes emerged, which are positive attitude toward breastfeeding and human milk, facing breastfeeding challenges at work, self-confidence rooted in experience, personal development and interpersonal skill needs, and supporting requirements. The study results have important nursing implications regarding the need for further research to initiate breastfeeding support training programs and innovative learning strategies; for the planning and establishment of breastfeeding education and clinical practices; and for the development of breastfeeding practice guidelines and procedures in order to facilitate the quality improvement of breastfeeding support services in Thailand.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/29506784

Available for download on Wednesday, September 01, 2027

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