Abstract
Background: Newborn jaundice has remained one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. It is believed that delays in detection and/or inappropriate treatment may largely be responsible for this. Given that most mothers are now discharged home 24 hours after a normal delivery, the responsibility to detect jaundice in the new-born and take appropriate decision now rest with the mothers. This study therefore sought to evaluate the knowledge and perception of newborn jaundice among parturient mothers. Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 255 parturient mothers at the lying-in ward of Mariere Memorial Central Hospital. A structured, pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the mothers. SPSS version 16 was employed in the analysis of the data. Results: Of the 255 parturient mothers interviewed, only 156 (61.2%) affirmed their awareness of newborn jaundice and only these mothers were further analysed. Their mean age was 30.2±5.4 and a median parity of 2. Thirty-seven (23.7%) of the mothers had tertiary education and just about half (50.6%) of the mothers knew that newborn jaundice presents with yellowish discoloration of the body and sclera. Three (1.9%) of the mothers knew that haemolysis is an underlying cause of jaundice and four (2.6%) mothers each correctly mentioned phototherapy and exchange blood transfusion as treatment modalities. Health talk given at the antenatal clinic was the source of information by 81 (51.9%) of the mothers. Conclusion: This study showed that the knowledge of risk factors/causes, treatment and complication of newborn jaundice by mothers is unsatisfactory. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i3.16521 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.13(3) 2014 p.292-297
Highlights
Newborn jaundice is the yellowish discolouration of the skin, and mucous membrane occurring in a newborn as a result of increase in the level of serum bilirubin.[1]
This will help to identify newborn with serum bilirubin in the high risk zone; and aid decision on therapy to forestall the subsequent development of biliubin levels that are known to place newborns at risk for bilirubin encephalopathy
It is concluded from this study that the knowledge of risk factors/causes, treatment and complications of newborn jaundice by parturient mothers is unsatisfactory
Summary
Newborn jaundice is the yellowish discolouration of the skin, and mucous membrane occurring in a newborn as a result of increase in the level of serum bilirubin.[1]. Newborn jaundice has remained one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in our environment. This is essentially because of delay in seeking appropriate treatment and/or improper treatment often instituted at home.[5,6] These actions or inactions are often borne out of the level of knowledge and perception of newborn jaundice by. Results: Of the 255 parturient mothers interviewed, only 156 (61.2%) affirmed their awareness of newborn jaundice and only these mothers were further analysed. Their mean age was 30.2±5.4 and a median parity of 2.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
