Knowledge and Practice of Infants Exposure to Sunlight Among Lactating Mothers Attending at Yirgalem Hospital, Sidama Regional State

Abstract

Background: Exposure to sunlight is vital for the synthesis of vitamin-D and vitamin D plays an important role in growth and bones strength. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of infants exposure to sunlight among lactating women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 01 to 30, 2019 among 327 infant coupled lactating mothers attended at Yirgalem General Hospital. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect relevant data through a convenient sampling technique. Results: A total of 84.7% of respondents exposed infants to sunlight. More than 94% knew the benefit of exposing infants to sunlight. About 20.9%, 25.6%, and 19.9% of mothers exposed infants to sunlight within 15, 16 to 30, and 31 to 45 days of birth, respectively. In addition, 59.9% of respondents exposed infants to sunshine daily and 72.2% exposed without clothing the infants’ body. Moreover, 63.5% of mothers have applied lubricants and overall 54.5% of mothers exposed infants to sunlight in good practice. Unemployed women were 4.7 times more likely (aOR; 95%CI: 4.7; 2.0-11.4) to expose infants to sunlight when compared to those employed, while women whose husbands have at least secondary education level were 5.1 times more likely (aOR; 95%CI: 5.1; 1.6-16.1) to expose infants to sunlight when compared to those unable to read and write. Conclusion: More than 45% and more than one-third of lactating mothers had poor practice and exposed infants to sunlight for inadequate time, respectively. Therefore, the finding indicates a need for awareness creation to increase women’s knowledge and practice toward the exposure of infants to sunlight.

Practice of Sunlight Exposure of Infants and Associated Factors Among Infant Coupled Mothers at Dejen District, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia 2021

“… 18 But higher than the study done at Yirgalem General Hospital which was 84.7%. 23 The variations could be attributed to differences in educational status and cultural practices in different geographical locations within the same country. More than 77% of mothers expose their infants to sunlight outdoor.…”

“…About 53% of the study mothers expose their infant after covering with a cloth which is higher than the study done at Yirgalem General Hospital that was 27.8%. 23 Such big discrepancies might be resulted either from cultural influences or poor awareness. More than 56% of mothers had poor practice of infant sunlight exposure which is higher than the study done at Yirgalem General Hospital that was 45%, 23 study done at St. Paul’s Hospital that was 40%, 24 and a study done in Farta district which was 45.7%.…”

“… 23 Such big discrepancies might be resulted either from cultural influences or poor awareness. More than 56% of mothers had poor practice of infant sunlight exposure which is higher than the study done at Yirgalem General Hospital that was 45%, 23 study done at St. Paul’s Hospital that was 40%, 24 and a study done in Farta district which was 45.7%. 25 The possible reason may be the study period, study area, and cultural difference.…”

“…In this study, more than half mothers (52%) had started exposing their infant at the age of 15 to 45 days which is lower than the study done at Yirgalem Hospital that was 66.4%. 23 The reason may be the study period difference.…”

Attitudes of mothers attending public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to neonatal sunlight exposure: a cross-sectional study

“…[18][19][20] Numerous factors may be associated with the practice of neonatal sunlight exposure among mothers. These factors include sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, educational status, occupation of mother, neonatal age, family size, place of residence, type of housing, educational status of the husband, household monthly income, [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] maternal and neonatal-related factors such as antenatal care (ANC) follow-up, place of delivery, gestational age, birth weight, mother's knowledge 13 16 17 21 23 25 and fear of sunlight exposure. 16 18 19 21 26 However, little is known about the practice of neonatal sunlight exposure among mothers in Ethiopia.…”