Neonatal Jaundice; Evaluating Knowledge and Practice Among Mothers Attending Immunisation Clinics of Secondary Health Care Facilities of Sokoto Metropolis

Abstract

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common cause of paediatric emergencies in Nigeria, and its effects in neonates are often irreversible. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, practices, and associated factors of mothers attending immunisation clinics of secondary health facilities in Sokoto metropolis on neonatal jaundice. Methods: The study was a descriptive and cross sectional, carried out among 335 mothers that brought their children to the immunisation clinics of Sokoto metropolis. Data was obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire. The secondary health facilities were selected by simple random sampling technique using balloting, and proportionate allocation was done to allocate study subjects to the selected secondary health facilities. Data analysed using SPSS version 21. Result: The mean age of the mothers was 30.1 ± 7.6 years. Most of the respondents 286 (85.4%) have heard of NNJ. Almost half 151 (45.1%) of the respondents did not know any cause of NNJ, 107 (31.9%) knew infection. Majority 147 (43.4%) of the respondents knew none of the preventive measures of NNJ. Only about a quarter 83 (24.8%) of respondents had appropriate practices regarding NNJ treatment, while about a third 102, (30.4%) of the respondents would appropriately take a baby immediately to the hospital. The mothers' knowledge of NNJ is significantly associated with the mothers age, place of residence, and social class (p=<005) respectively.
Conclusion: The mothers had inadequate knowledge about the causes, complications, and treatment of NNJ and also had misconceptions on NNJ. There is need for a review of new-born health policies and the designing of programs at the state level to address neonatal jaundice with a focus on education, prevention, early detection, and prompt and proper management.