Abstract

Background

The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of life and represents a vulnerable time in an individual’s life [2, 5, 7, and 9]. Neonatal danger signs have become a substantial problem in many developing countries like Cameroon. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs and the challenges they faced in implementing essential neonatal care in the BHD.

Objective: To assess mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs and the difficulties they faced in implementing essential neonatal care in the BHD.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2021 to June 2021. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. A sample size of 106 out of 360 mothers was obtained for this study. A purposive sample was used to select the hospitals and a convenient sample was used to select the participants. Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (version 25).

Results: Out of the 106 mothers sampled in the BHD, 80(75.5%) had adequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs and 26(24.5%) had inadequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs. On essential neonatal care, out of 106 mothers sampled, 73(68.9%) had adequate knowledge (score greater than the mean score) on the essential neonatal care and 33 (31.1%) had inadequate knowledge on essential neonatal care.

Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge level about neonatal danger signs and essential neonatal care are good but intervention modalities that focus on the increasing the level of parental education, access to ANC, PNC and ENC are needed to better the knowledge of mothers.

Recommendations

To the health facilities: To re-enforce health education sessions on neonatal danger signs and essential care during ANC and IWC.

-To Partner or spouse: Provide the needed psychological and social support to their wives through their presence during ANC and IWC

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Globally, each year, about 4 million children die in the first 28 days of life [2,3,5,7], and this accounts for the death of children under the age of under five years [2]. The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of life and represents a vulnerable time in an individual’s life [2, 5, 7, 9]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the early newborn period is the most critical for survival for a neonate [3].

Danger signs are signs that can be easily identified by non-clinical personnel including the mothers [8]. The four key danger signs are convulsion/spasms/rigidity, difficulty/ latterly/unconsciousness, fast breathing, and a very small baby. Danger Signs were selected as a key because they are associated with a potentially severe problem [8].

Parenthood of new life is a responsibility and crucial to the health and safety of the little immune-suppressed newborn. Although the symptoms of illnesses in a newborn baby are difficult to recognize, Mothers are always needed to monitor their newborns for any signs of illness during the neonatal period.

The majority of parents lack awareness of how a sick baby reacts as compared to a healthy baby. There is a lack of experience in recognizing normal signs and distinguishing them from what is unhealthy and atypical [10]. A mother is the closest person to a neonate to identify, present and manage the neonate’s problems, which ensures that a neonate can lead a healthy life [1].

Early detection of neonatal illnesses through identifying neonatal danger signs is an important step towards improving newborn survival [2]. In order to continue to accelerate the reduction in under-five mortality, focusing on newborns should be a primary concern [4].

Factors associated with knowledge of women on neonatal danger signs include women’s education level, antenatal care visit, health facilities delivery, postnatal care utilization, acclaiming by spouse [8]. It is estimated that about 75% of neonatal deaths can be avoided. However, this only regarding neonatal danger signs. It’s good enough to make a decision to seek health care service [2].

The African Region has the highest neonatal mortality rate (28.0 per 10000 per live births), followed by that of Eastern Mediterranean (26.6) and South-East Asia (24.3) [13]. The causes of neonatal motility in Africa for example in Ethiopia are not well documented. However, some studies reported causes such as sepsis, asphyxia, birth injury, tetanus, preterm birth, congenital malformation, not able to feed, movement only when stimulated, respiratory rate over 60 breaths per minute, severe chest in- drawing, and history of convulsion [2, 5, 7].

In Cameroon, the rate of infant-juvenile mortality remains high and most deaths occurs in the community. Mortality statistics is usually based on hospital data which are generally insufficient and less reliable. In a context where legislation on death registration is not applied, and where a conventional autopsy is not often done, verbal autopsy (VA) provides information on mortality [19].

Even though the rate of ANC and the rate of women giving birth in health facilities have increased in the last decade respectively 83% and 46%, there is a growing concern about the first 4 weeks of life [2, 5, 7, and 9].

1.2 Problem Statement.

Despite the manpower and equipment put in place to prevent neonatal motility, neonates are still dying. Hence, it is important to assess mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs and the challenges they faced in implementing essential neonatal care in the BHD.

1.3 Objectives

1.4 Main Objective

To assess mothers’ Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and the challenges they faced in implementing essential neonatal care in the Buea Health District.

1.5 Specific Objectives

1. To evaluate maternal Knowledge on neonatal danger signs in the Buea Health District.
2. To identify challenges faced by mothers in implementing essential neonatal care in the Buea Health District.
3. To determine maternal knowledge of essential newborn care in the Buea Health District