STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON NEONATAL CARE AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHERS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Under-five mortality is a major concern, especially in a developing country like India. In <5 years age group, most vulnerable population is the neonatal period (0-28 days of life), accounting for more than half of under-five child deaths. Neonatal period has also an important bearing on long term growth and development of the baby. That is why the care of the new born plays a vital role in determining child health and under-five mortality rate.

Methods: Mothers were classified according to some socio demographic factors. Each mother was given a questionnaire comprising of 25 questions on knowledge and 14 questions on practice of newborn care. For each correct response 1 point and for each incorrect response 0 point was allotted. Finally, the total score was computed. Knowledge was categorized as inadequate (score 0-7), satisfactory (score 8-16) or adequate (score 17-25). Practice was categorized as inadequate (score 0-4), satisfactory (5-9) or adequate (10-14). Chi- square test was applied to determine whether any statistical correlation existed between the socio-demographic profiles and knowledge and practices. A p value of <0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: Answers of 200 mothers were analyzed. Most of them had satisfactory knowledge (91.5 %). Majority of them had adequate practice (54%). This study shows that there is significant association of level of knowledge and practice with selected demographic variables. There was significant association between educational level and knowledge (p<0.00001). No association was observed between knowledge and age (p=0.1657), parity (p=0.014). There was a significant association between parity and practice (p=0.00001), occupation (p=0.00001). No association between age(p=1.828) and education (p=1.8884) with practice of postnatal mothers.

Conclusion:  Maternal knowledge and practice about new born care play vital roles in prevention of neonatal death. Some socio demographic factors may bear associations with the knowledge and practice of the mothers. Educating the mothers and also their family members plays a pivotal role.

Key words:  knowledge, postnatal mothers, neonatal period