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Abstract The impact of preterm babies’ admission at the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) on the mental health of mothers is a global challenge. However, the prevalence and predictors of Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) among this population remain underexplored. This study assessed the predictors of CMDs among mothers of preterm infants in the NICUs in the Upper East Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted, targeting mothers of preterm babies in two hospitals in the Upper East Region. The Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to collect data from 375 mothers of preterm babies admitted to the NICUs. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 20. The study found a prevalence of 40.9% for CMDs among mothers of preterm babies admitted to the two NICUs. The predictors of CMDs were unemployment (aOR 2.925, 95% CI 1.465, 5.840), lower levels of education (aOR 5.582, 95% CI 1.316, 23.670), antenatal anxiety (aOR 3.606, 95% CI 1.870, 6.952), and assisted delivery (aOR 2.144, 95% CI 1.083, 4.246). Conversely, urban residence (aOR 0.390, 95% CI 0.200, 0.760), age range between 25 and 31 (aOR 0.238, 95% CI 0.060, 0.953), and having a supportive partner (aOR 0.095, 95% CI 0.015, 0.593) emerged as protective factors. This study emphasizes the imperative of addressing maternal mental health within the NICU setting for preterm births.

Introduction The postnatal period often presents significant psychological and social distress for mothers, a burden that is potentially heightened by having a preterm baby. Mothers of preterm babies face various psychosocial challenges that need to be explored. While some studies have explored the experiences of mothers of preterm babies, there is a need for more context-specific research to inform targeted interventions, especially in resource-constrained settings like northern Ghana. This study aimed to explore the psychosocial experiences of mothers of preterm babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana.Methods This descriptive phenomenological study was conducted in the NICU of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Ghana. Thirteen mothers of preterm babies were purposively sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method.Results Three themes emerged namely, mothers’ emotional experience, challenges encountered at the NICU and coping strategies. The mothers expressed a range of emotions, from indifference to profound sadness, disbelief, fear and worry, on realising their babies were preterm. Challenges within the NICU were financial constraints and poor NICU facilities while coping strategies included reliance on God, self-reliance and support from family and nurses.Conclusion Mothers of preterm babies in the NICU experience significant emotional distress and face numerous challenges. Comprehensive support programmes that address financial, emotional and practical needs are essential to improve outcomes for both mothers and their preterm babies.