Maternal care practices and health-seeking behaviour for neonatal jaundice in Basawa Community, Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition that occurs in newborns which is preventable and also easily treatable. However, delay in the presentation of infants with jaundice at the hospital is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the care practices and health-seeking behaviour for Neonatal Jaundice among mothers in Basawa community Zaria.

The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in January 2017 among mothers aged 15–49 years. One hundred and seventy-two structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 21.

The mean age of respondents was 34 ± 7.0 years, the main sources of information of respondents about NNJ were relatives (35%) and hospital staff (33.1%). Thirty percent of respondents stated that antenatal care is a preventive practice against neonatal jaundice, 52.3% of them believed that treatment of malaria in pregnancy could prevent neonatal jaundice. Most of the respondents (54%) exposed their jaundiced neonates to the sun, 51.7% took their children to the hospital and 37.2% used herbs. Only 16.9% of the respondents took their jaundiced children to the hospital immediately they noticed it and 16% did this within 24 hours of noticing jaundice in their neonates.

The study findings showed inadequate knowledge and poor practices regarding NNJ. There is need for enlightenment and sensitization about the early recognition of NNJ and early presentation for treatment.

Keywords: Basawa community, care practices, neonatal jaundice, Nigeria, mothers