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Understanding the Domains of Experiences of Black Mothers with Preterm Infants in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review

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Abstract

Objective

To report the domains of Black mothers’ experiences with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to determine the frameworks used.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature using the PRISMA guideline was performed. An electronic database search of published literature between 2000 and 2022 was conducted based on predetermined search terms and parameters.

Results

Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eleven articles focused on feeding practices, ten reported on nursing/maternal care experiences, five reported mental health/social support, and only one focused on mother-infant relationships. Only five papers reported using any frameworks, comprising grounded theory framework (n = 2), theory of planned behavior (n = 1), research justice framework (n = 1), and the patient and public engagement protocol (n = 1).

Discussion

A holistic approach to understanding the multifactorial experiences of Black mothers with preterm infants needs to be socio-culturally competent to ensure their diverse intersections and identities are accurately represented and understood. Rigorous research at the intersection of Black maternal health and the NICU hold promises for advancing maternal health equity in the United States.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms. Faith Elenwa, MPH, and Dr. Robin Page for their help screening the articles and reviewing the codebook. We also thank Drs. Carly McCord and Kelly Wilson for their overall guidance during this project. 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Kobi V. Ajayi & Whitney R. Garney

  2. Laboratory for Community Health Evaluation and Systems Science, Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Kobi V. Ajayi & Whitney R. Garney

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by [Kobi V. Ajayi]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Kobi V. Ajayi]. Supervision and revision [Whitney Garney]. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Ajayi, K.V., Garney, W.R. Understanding the Domains of Experiences of Black Mothers with Preterm Infants in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 10, 2453–2469 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-022-01425-0

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