Effect of Instructional Guidelines on Mothers' Knowledge and Practice regarding their Neonatal Care

Abstract

Background: The newborn’s mother is the key person who takes care and fulfills the needs of the newborn either physiological or psychological. Therefore, it is essential to apply instructional programs that appreciate mothers to have the correct knowledge, home care practice, and attitude to raise their healthy children. Aim: To evaluate the effect of instructional guidelines on mothers' knowledge and practice regarding their neonatal care. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi- experimental research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in maternal and child health centers at Sohag City (Dar E Salam Abdallah health center). Sample: Α Purposive sample of 150 newborns and their mothers. Tool for data collection: A structured interview questionnaire, which included three parts; (I) demographic characteristics; (II) mothers’ knowledge and (III) the reported practice (pre/post) regarding breast feeding, thermal control, skin care, and cord care. Results: The main source of information for mothers was their family. Ther was an improvement of mothers’ knowledge regarding all aspects of care of their neonates before and after implementation of instructional guidelines. there was a statistically significant difference in mothers’ reported care practices of their neonates before and after implementation of the instructional guidelines regarding breastfeeding, kept warm practice, skin care practice, and cord care practices. Conclusion: Instructional guidelines had а positive effect on mothers' knowledge and reported practice regarding neonatal care. Recommendations: Instructional guidelines regarding neonatal care should be applied for newly mothers during antenatal period.