The Traditional Practices of Mothers in Caring of Neonates Affected by Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aimed to identify the mothers’ traditional practice in caring for newborns with jaundice; we want to determine the association between mothers’ practices and their demographic characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 mothers from inpatient pediatric wards of Babylon Teaching Hospital for maternal and pediatric care. They were selected by non-probability, purposive sampling method. The study data were collected by a three-part tool: demographic data sheet related to mothers and children, mothers’ knowledge concerning neonatal jaundice, and the mother’s knowledge and home practices concerning neonatal jaundice. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22. Results: Most mothers (67%) were younger than 30 years, and 10% had college or institute educational level. Also, 87% of mothers knew that jaundice is a common problem for neonates; 25% did not know that jaundice is abnormal if it occurs within the first 36 hours. About 17% of mothers did not agree that maternal and fetal blood group differences lead to jaundice. Besides, 47% of mothers were uncertain that severe jaundice could lead to deafness, and 78% knew that phototherapy is the treatment for jaundice. Discussion: The majority of respondents in the study were aged 29 years or less. Most of them adopted breast and formula as the type of feeding. The most recognizable outcome of this study was the adequate knowledge and practices of mothers concerning traditional caring for neonates with jaundice.

Determination of Mothers' Information and Attitude Regarding Neonatal Jaundice Management in Raparin Administration

“…Regarding the birth weight of neonates, the study shows that the highest percentage (80.3%) of the newborn was between (1kg to 3kg) and (19.7%) of newborns which were between (4kg to 5kg) and the mean birth weight of newborn was 3.086 ± 0.63 kilogram, and also, the minimum birth weight is 1kg and maximum birth weight is 5kg. This finding is in agreement with the research findings of the study on mothers' traditional practices in caring for neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, which discovered that 70% of babies were born weighing less than 2 kg (21) .…”

“…Regarding the religions of mothers, 100% were Muslims. Regarding the gestational age of mothers, about three-quarters of mothers 73.6% gave birth on term followed by 23.1% were pre-term and only 3.4% were pos-term, this finding agreed with the findings of a study of mothers' traditional practices in caring for neonates affected by hyperbilirubinemia, which discovered that, more than half 63% of babies have a gestational 38 weeks which is indicated in term (21) .…”