Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: November | Volume: 8 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 194-200
Awareness Regarding Neonatal Danger Signs among Rural Postnatal Mother in Palpa District, Nepal
Manju Nepal1, Sarala K.C2, Parbati Nepal3, Ambika Poudel2, Susan Maharjan4, Bimala Adhikari4
1Assistant Professor, PAHS, School of Nursing & Midwifery (Lalitpur Nursing Campus), Nepal
2Professor, PAHS,
3 Assistant Professor, Lumbini Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Nepal.
4Lecturer, PAHS
Corresponding Author: Manju Nepal
ABSTRACT
Background: Neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. Mothers are the primary caregiver of the newborns/neonates, thus the awareness on neonatal danger signs has great influence on the health of the newborns. The main objective of study is to find out awareness of postnatal mother on the neonatal danger signs in rural community.
Method and Material: A descriptive cross sectional study design was carried out. Setting of this study was two wards of Tansen Municipality. Total of 117 respondents were taken by using non-probability convenience sampling technique within nine months period of data collection (August 1st, 2016 to April 30th 2017). Data collection was done by using pretested semi-structured interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics namely Chi-square test was used.
Results: The findings of study revealed that out of 117 mothers, 19.7% gave birth before 20 years, 33.3% were Magar ethnic group. Most of mothers (93.1%) delivered their newborn at any health facilities. 100% of mothers were prepared for the place of delivery (Health facility) and early preparation of essential expenditure. Most (94%) mothers heard about neonatal danger signs. Among them, 100% percent of mother aware about unable to suck as neonatal danger followed by fever (99.1%), breathing difficulties and jaundice (88.2%), umbilical cord infection (83.6%), watery stool/ blood in stool (69.1%), hypothermia (62.7%) and least number of mothers (18.2%) were aware about convulsion as a neonatal danger signs. Similarly, most of mothers (94.5%) got information through radio. Most of mothers (89%) did their self-decision within 24 hours of danger signs for the treatments of sick newborn. 48.18% of mothers were aware on the neonatal dangers signs. Awareness on neonatal danger signs was significantly affected by age of postnatal mother and distance of health facility.
Conclusion: Based on the study findings, it is concluded that the more the mature mother the more the awareness on neonatal danger sign. To decrease neonate mortality, a teaching must be provided on neonatal danger signs from the pregnancy to the delivery of baby.
Key words: Awareness, neonatal danger signs, postnatal mother