Challenges and Coping Strategies of Student Nursing Mothers in University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The rigor of combining motherhood with education poses great challenge to student nursing mothers (SNMs). This study identified the challenges experienced by the SNMs and determined the factors associated with the challenges experienced in University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria. This study utilized a nonprobability sampling technique of snowballing. Responses were elicited from 250 consenting SNMs using the pretested semistructured questionnaire. The SNM challenges were measured on 15-point scale. Challenges scores were classified as moderate (≤9) and severe (≥10). The mean age of the SNMs was 29.5 ± 2.8 years. Majority of the respondents (70.0%) reported facing severe challenges which included economic, childcare, and academic challenges (43.2%, 37.2%, and 24.8%, respectively). χ2 test showed significant associations between ages, course of study, and level of study of the SNMs (χ2 = 10.520, p = .005; χ2 = 14.934, p = .002; and χ2 = 9.523, p = .002, respectively) and the overall challenges experienced. Research findings reveal that childhood health problems occurred mostly among SNMs having problems breastfeeding their babies.