Abstract

Objectives. To determine maternal comprehension of indications provided at discharge by nurses in hospitalized infants and to evaluate factors related to comprehension. Method. A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 61 mothers of hospitalized infants who agreed to participate. Discharges were observed and the mothers were given a questionnaire evaluating overall understanding and understanding of indications for drugs, feeding, and attendance at follow-up visits. Results. The mothers assigned a high score to nurses’ language and attitude. Most mothers considered the time taken for discharge to be sufficient. Fifty-nine percent of the mothers showed complete understanding of the indications; complete understanding was shown by 96.7% of mothers in indications for feeding, by 93.4% for indication for attendance at follow-up visits and by 64.4% for drug indications. Complete understanding was significantly associated with greater length of time taken for discharge, fewer days of infant hospitalization and providing indications on the ward. Complete understanding was also associated with a lack of environmental factors interfering with comprehension, although this association was not statistically significant. No association was found between the degree of comprehension and maternal age or educational level. Conclusions. To achieve adequate understanding of indications at discharge and compliance with the care plan in the home, appropriate language and attitude, as well as concern for the physical environment and the time taken for discharge are required.