Introduction Neonatal illnesses can prove to be fatal if not identified early and treated. This suggests that death occasioned as result of neonatal illness could be prevented. However, it has been observed that most mothers report to the hospital late with their newborns in critical state, making it difficult for professionals to salvage the problem often than not. This study sought to explore the knowledge and practices of home caregivers on neonatal danger signs pre-admission to Tamale Teaching Hospital a tertiary hospital in northern Ghana. Methods An explorative descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen caregivers of neonates on admission at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guide. As part of data collection, audio recordings were used to audio tape interviews. All data collected were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results Thematic analysis in the study demonstrated that caregivers had basic knowledge, describing neonatal illness with danger signs such as lethargy, convulsion, fever, fast breathing, poor feeding, vomiting and diarrhea. The study further found that the predominant practice to care seeking by caregivers was home/traditional herbal remedies. It also indicated that inexperience caring for neonates, severity of illness and non-availability of finances were factors that informed caregivers choice of treatment of neonatal illness. Conclusion The study concludes that inexperience caring for neonate, severity of illness and non-availability of finances were factors that informed caregivers choice of treatment. There is a pressing need for health workers to strengthen the education of caregivers/mothers on neonatal danger signs and the need for prompt care seeking from skilled health care providers prior to discharge from the hospital.
Introduction: Neonatal illnesses can prove to be fatal if not identified early and treated. This suggests that death occasioned as result of neonatal illness could be prevented. However, it has been observed that most mothers report to the hospital late with their newborns in critical state, making it difficult for professionals to salvage the problem often than not. This study sought to explore the knowledge and practices of home caregivers on neonatal danger signs pre-admission to Tamale Teaching Hospital.Methods: An explorative descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen caregivers of neonates on admission at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guide. Audio recording was used as a backup and to authenticate data collected during the interviews. All data collected were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results: Generally, the study found that caregivers had appreciable knowledge, describing neonatal illness with danger signs such as lethargy, convulsion, fever, fast breathing, poor feeding, vomiting and diarrhea. The study further found that the predominant practice to care seeking by caregivers was home/traditional herbal remedies. Conclusion: The study concludes that inexperience in childbirth, severity of illness and availability of finances were factors that informed caregivers choice of treatment. There is a pressing need for health workers to strengthen the education of caregivers/mothers on neonatal danger signs and the need for prompt care seeking from skilled health care providers prior to discharge from the hospital.
Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of child mortality worldwide and Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected. Inadequate access to cost-effective interventions in most poor resource areas threatens to increase preterm birth related mortalities. Kangaroo mother care has proven to be a cost-effective intervention and has reduced death as a result of complications of PTB by half. Purpose: This study therefore sought to explore and document the experiences of mothers regarding KMC following discharge from Nsawam Government Hospital. Methods: An exploratory descriptive design was used to collect data from mothers who had preterm births and their experiences of practicing kangaroo mother care at home. Fourteen participants in the Nsawam municipality were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analyses. Findings: The findings of the study indicated that mothers are encouraged to practice KMC based on the benefits of KMC like provision of warmth, bonding and improvement in growth and development. The study also indicated that support systems available to mothers at home included family, churches, community and healthcare providers. Recommendations: The study recommended that; proper follow-up care should be undertaken by clinicians on mothers practicing KMC especially in their respective home environment to ensure adherence KMC practice experiences in the home.
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