Evaluation of Maternal Knowledge & Perceptions on Neonatal Jaundice (A Hospital based Survey)

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: This cross sectional study was conducted to assess maternal knowledge and perceptions of pathological
jaundice with association of mother’s characteristics with the knowledge.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on 100 mothers of the sick infants visiting Pediatrics’ department. All
the consenting mothers of sick infants were conveniently enrolled in the study. Paramedic staff mothers and mothers
who did not consent were excluded. A self-structured questionnaire was developed to assess mother’s knowledge
and validated through pilot study. Maternal knowledge scores were graded into outstanding (95- 100%), very good
(85- 94%), satisfactory (75- 84%), very weak (65- 74%) and less than 65% as unsatisfactory.
Ethical clearance was obtained. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS Version- 21 by computing frequencies,
percentages and inferential statistics by Chi Square Test with significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The mean maternal age was 26.43 years + 5.675 with 51% uneducated and 23% had university level education.
Two third (91%) of the mothers were housewives.
Thirty-four percent mothers had satisfactory, 14% very good, 1% outstanding, 18% very weak and 29% unsatisfactory
knowledge of pathological jaundice. Maternal knowledge about neonatal jaundice had direct association with father’s
occupation (P value= 0.02) and maternal age (P value= 0.02).
Conclusion: Mothers showed satisfactory knowledge of neonatal pathological jaundice in terms of awareness, causes,
complications and treatment options. Maternal age and father’s occupation was significant against the maternal
knowledge of neonatal jaundice.