Parents' Knowledge of Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behavior in Newborn and Young Infant Illness in Tiro Afeta District, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-based Study.

Melkamu Berhane,Mesfin Zewdu,Nega Jibat,Hadiya Yimam

doi:10.4314/ejhs.v28i4.13

Melkamu Berhane, Mesfin Zewdu + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v28i4.13

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Journal: Ethiopian journal of health sciences	Publication Date: Jan 1, 1970
Citations: 23	License type: NO-CC CODE

Affiliation: Jimma University

Abstract

Neonatal mortality rates in Ethiopia are among the highest in the world. Reducing neonatal and young infant mortality highly relies on early recognition of symptoms and appropriate care-seeking behavior of parents/care givers. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs and health seeking behavior of parents/care givers in newborn and young infant illness in Southwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster sampling technique to get 422 samples of parents/care givers who had infants of less than 6 month old. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting care seeking behavior and knowledge of parents/care givers on newborn and young infant illness. Care seeking behavior for newborn and young infant illness was high (83%), the major factor associated with care seeking behavior being place of delivery. Only less than half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of symptoms of illness of newborns and young infants. The major factors associated with knowledge of parents/care givers were maternal education and paternal education. To improve the knowledge of parents/care givers about newborn and young infant illness, counseling about the major symptoms of newborn and young infant illness should be intensified.

Highlights

The neonatal period is the most critical period for the survival of a child
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, every year, over 4 million babies die during the neonatal period globally; 98% of the deaths occurring in the developing world [1]
The majority of the infants were between the ages of 9-24 weeks (38.8%) followed by those aged between 5-8 weeks (32.3%), and only 5.5% were aged less than 1 week during the study period (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The neonatal period (the first 28 days of life) is the most critical period for the survival of a child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, every year, over 4 million babies die during the neonatal period globally; 98% of the deaths occurring in the developing world [1]. Sub-Saharan Africa, where about a third of under-five deaths occur during the neonatal period, have the highest neonatal mortality rate (31 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013) and account for 39% of global neonatal deaths. Reducing neonatal and young infant mortality highly relies on early recognition of symptoms and appropriate care-seeking behavior of parents/care givers. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs and health seeking behavior of parents/care givers in newborn and young infant illness in Southwest Ethiopia. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting care seeking behavior and knowledge of parents/care givers on newborn and young infant illness.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion