Factors Associated with Maternal Knowledge of Newborn Care among Postnatal Mothers Attending a Rural and an Urban Hospital in Egypt

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess mothers' knowledge on newborn care as well as factors associated with poor knowledge. The study setting was two maternity hospitals, one urban and other rural, which were randomly selected from the maternity hospitals in Alexandria and El Behera governorates. A convenience sample of 422 mothers of newborns was selected from the previously mentioned settings. A structured interview questionnaire was designed and utilized by the researchers to collect the data. Maternal knowledge on newborn care was assessed and a knowledge score was created by allocating 1 point for each correct response. Knowledge score was classified as 'good', 'satisfactory' and 'poor' scores. The study results showed that 59.5% of mothers had either satisfactory or good overall knowledge. More than half of the mothers (55.7%) demonstrated a poor knowledge about some breastfeeding practices, mainly on initiation of breastfeeding (43.7%), proper attitude towards hypogalactia (42.7%), giving pre-lacteal feeds (38.4%), non-timed lactation (19.9%) and only 17.7% correctly identified the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers demonstrated satisfactory and good knowledge about the newborn warning signs (67.8%), with more than 70% of mothers recognizing 8 of 9 symptoms and/or signs that needed the urgent attention of a healthcare provider. According to multivariate analysis, rural women (odds ratio (OR)= 1.62; 95% CI 1.43-2.12), primiparae (OR= 1.77; 95% CI 1.53-2.72), mothers with lower family monthly income (OR=2.04; 95% CI 1.33-3.32) and those who never attended schools (OR=2.00; 95% CI 1.28-3.11) were more likely to have poor knowledge. In conclusion, mothers had satisfactory or good levels of knowledge about care of the umbilical cord and recognition of dangerous signs, but knowledge about breastfeeding was poor. Maternal education programs should place more emphasis on first-time mothers and those having lower socio-economic level as evident by lower monthly family income and lack of education.

Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers who gave birth during the last 4 months while attending immunization services in Harar town public health facilities, Ethiopia, 2017

“…It was found satisfactory on educated mothers and those who got ANC counseling about neonatal danger signs at their current ANC follow up visit. The knowledge of neonatal danger signs in this study was lower than the study done in India (2006), which was 39% [4], in Nigeria (2009) which was 78.3% [5], in Egypt (2008) which was 69% [6] and in Tigray region Ayder referral hospital (2011), 64% [7]. Even though, the most frequently mentioned danger sign was fever, in all four studies, which is congruent with this study.…”

Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers who gave birth during the last four months while attending immunization services in Harar town public health facilities, Ethiopia.

“…It was found satisfactory on educated mothers and those who got ANC counseling about neonatal danger signs at their current ANC follow up visit. The knowledge of neonatal danger signs in this study was lower than the study done in India (2006), which was 39% [11], in Nigeria (2009) which was 78.3% [12], in Egypt (2008) which was 69% [13] and in Tigray region Ayder referral hospital (2011), 64% [14]. Even though, the most frequently mentioned danger sign was fever, in all four studies, which is congruent with this study.…”

Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers who gave birth the last four months attending immunization services in Harar town public health facilities, Ethiopia

“…The multi-variable analysis result showed that educated mothers to the level of college and above as well as secondary level were more likely to recognize neonatal danger signs (Table 1). this study was lower than the study done in India (2006), which was 39% [11], in Nigeria (2009) which was 78.3% [12], in Egypt (2008) which was 69% [13] and in Tigray region Ayder referral hospital (2011), 64% [14]. Even though, the most frequently mentioned danger sign was fever, in all four studies, which is congruent with this study; the knowledge gap may be due to socioeconomic differences lead to owning an advanced health care delivery system.…”