Knowledge of danger signs in neonates among postnatal mothers of babies admitted in tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in a two-tier town in South India

Abstract

Background: Neonatal period is the first 28 days of life. Neonatal period is highly vulnerable and has high risk of mortality at an average global rate of 17/1000. Neonatal illnesses present with non-specific symptoms and signs. Neonatal danger signs signify common signs of severe illness. Aim of the study was to assess the awareness of postnatal mothers about danger signs in neonates and the associated factors.Methods: Facility based cross sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in a two-tier town in South India. Source of population was postnatal mothers of babies who were admitted in NICU. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through face-to-face interview. Neonatal danger signs are signs that sick neonates show as stated by WHO, which includes- not able to feed, or stopped feeding well, convulsed or fitted since birth, fast breathing, chest in drawing, fever, cold to touch, yellow palms and soles, umbilical redness, or draining of pus, skin boils, or eyes draining pus, no or minimal movement when stimulated. Mothers who mentioned at least 3 are considered to have good knowledge.Results: Commonly mentioned danger signs are fever (89%), chest indrawing (59%), poor feeding (51%), and umbilical redness (48%). Mothers who had good knowledge was 32% of which 75.9% had counselling on danger signs during antenatal visits, 78% had antenatal visits more than 4,86.9% had post-natal care or visits,51.56% had education above secondary school.Conclusions: Mothers need counselling on neonatal danger signs during antenatal and post-natal visits to reduce neonatal mortality.