Article Sidebar
Published:
Sep 30, 2022DOI:
10.4314/gmj.v56i3.14Keywords:
Article Details
Articles published in the Ghana Medical Journal may not be published elsewhere without the consent of the publishers. Request for consent for reproduction of material published in the Ghana Medical Journal should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief. The publisher of this Journal reserves the right of copyright of all articles published in the Journal. It should also be understood by all authors that articles approved for publication in the journal are also deemed for publication online by the publisher.
Ghana Medical Journal is an Open Access journal and applies the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (Creative Commons Attribution License) 4.0 International. See details on the Creative Commons website (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) to articles and other content published in the Journal.
Main Article Content
Predictors of knowledge and practice of newborn care among post-natal mothers attending immunisation clinics in Southeast Nigeria
Abstract
Objectives: Evidence-based newborn care practice recommended by WHO reduces neonatal mortality and improves neonatal outcomes. This study assessed the knowledge, practice-associated factors and predictors of essential newborn care among post-natal mothers in two primary health care centres in Southeast Nigeria.
Methods
Design: A cross-sectional total population study
Setting: Two primary health care centres in two local government areas in Southeast Nigeria.
Participants: Post-natal mothers who attended immunisation clinics
Data collection: Quantitative data was collected over four weeks from 400 post-natal mothers. Chi-square test and logistic regression were carried out for associations and predictors, respectively. Analytical decisions were taken at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval.
Outcome measures: Knowledge, attitude, the practice of essential newborn care; predictors of practice
Findings: Mean age of participants was 28.68±5.4. The majority (78.9%) had been counselled on newborn care and 85.2% delivered in a formal health facility. The majority (77%) had good knowledge of essential newborn care and practices (61%). More than half (62.3%) reported support from health workers. Predictors of good practice were older age (AOR: 0.435; 95%CI: 0.212-0.893), being married (AOR: 8.095; 95%CI: 3.732-17.558), living in the urban area (AOR: 0.478; 0.291-0.784), and having good knowledge of newborn care (AOR: 0.239; CI: 0.139-0.411).
Conclusions: Good practice was identified in the majority. Being married, older, living in urban areas and having good knowledge were predictors of good practice. Health facility delivery, continuous support by health workers and post-natal education to mothers in rural areas are recommended policy priorities.
