"I have to be strong": A qualitative study of parental bereavement experiences in Uganda following the death of their baby.
Georgia Stevenson, Stella Namukwaya, Joseph Katongole and 7 others
PMID 40024218WHAT IT FOUND
Bereaved parents in Uganda described avoiding memory-making practices like holding the baby or keeping photos, finding them distressing.
They relied on family and community financial support to cover funeral costs, rather than formal health service bereavement care.
Key findings
01Most parents only held or touched their baby's body after death for practical reasons, such as verifying identity or preparing for burial, rather than as a coping mechanism.
02Parents reported significant financial hardship, with some spending up to 1.5 million Ugandan Shillings (approximately USD 400) on treatment and burial, often relying on community condolence money.
03Parents expressed a desire for medical advice regarding future pregnancies rather than formal bereavement counselling, and no respondents received follow-up care from health professionals.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 11 participants, with just one father, limiting the perspective on male bereavement. Interviews took place in the hospital where the baby died, which may have influenced parents to focus on medical causes and blame healthcare systems rather than other factors. Participants were recruited from a single trial site in an urban setting, so findings may not apply to rural areas or other hospitals. The time since death varied (1-12 months), so grief responses may differ at other stages. Parents may have perceived the interviewer as part of the clinical team, potentially limiting critical feedback about care.
Declared interests
The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript writing.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that bereaved parents will find comfort in holding their baby or creating memories, as this study found many parents in this context found these practices distressing and preferred to avoid reminders.