Co-Designing a Cultural Informed Framework to Promote the Well-Being of Black Canadian Parents With Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Study Protocol.

AIM

To explore the experiences and support needs of Black Canadian parents with preterm infants and to engage them in co-creating a culturally informed framework to inform nurses, healthcare providers and community organisations to better serve this population.

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth (PTB) is a traumatic experience that places significant physical and emotional strain on families and other caregivers. Despite research showing that Black mothers are at risk of PTB, little is known about their experiences of giving birth to a preterm infant and the challenges they encounter caring for these children in Canada. This lack of research specifically on Black parents in Canada makes it difficult to identify their psychosocial needs and develop intervention programmes to address their unique challenges.

DESIGN

A two-phase qualitative exploratory design informed by a community engagement lens will be used.

METHODS

In Phase 1, five focus groups (n = 48) and 6-8 in depth interviews will be conducted with Black parents of preterm infants. Questions will explore experiences in the NICU, transition home, access to support, coping strategies and mental well-being. One focus group will be conducted with the parent advisory council of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, our community partner to explore gaps in services. The data from Phase 1 will be analysed and findings will be used to informed Phase 2 concept mapping exercise. This research was approved by the Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board.

DISCUSSION

There is a paucity of research addressing the experiences and needs of Black parents with preterm infants. Thus, this study is well positioned to generate the much-needed Canadian empirical knowledge on the unique experiences and stressors face by Black parents with preterm infants and inform the design of programmes and services to better support them.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study is in collaboration with the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, our community partner.