Knowledge and Practice on Neonatal Care Among Postnatal Mothers in A Selected Teaching Hospital, Kaski District, Nepal

Abstract

Newborn care is an essential component of the health care delivery system to maintain the optimal health of the newborn and reduce mortality and morbidity in newborn. Neonatal care refers to the services which are provided by the mother to their neonates such as maintaining thermoregulation, breastfeeding, hygiene, immunization, and care of umbilical cord. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of neonatal care among postnatal mothers. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted and 150 postnatal mothers were selected using a non-probability, convenient sampling technique. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews with a Likert scale and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study result revealed that 60.7 percent of the postnatal mother was aged between more than 25 years. The majority of the postnatal mother (60.7%) of had good knowledge and majority of the respondent (80.7%) of had adequate practice regarding neonatal care. Among multigravida mothers, the majority (61.9%) had good knowledge of neonatal care. Where among primigravida mothers, majority (54.2%) had good knowledge. Among multigravida mothers, the majority (78.6%) had adequate practices on neonatal care.Wheres among primigravida mothers; majority (91.7%) had adequate practices. There is a significant association between the level of knowledge and age (P=0.020), occupational status (P= 0.027), and type of family (p= 0.004). It is concluded that multigravida mothers had good knowledge and adequate practices compared to primigravida mothers. Hence, there is a need for awareness programs by government and non-government organizations, especially among first-time pregnant mothers.

Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 8, Issue-1: 279-284