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, 9]. Neonatal danger signs have become a substantial problem in many developing countries like Cameroon. To reduce neonatal mortality, it is necessary for sick neonates to access medical care on time. This can be facilitated if the mothers are knowledgeable on neonatal danger signs. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs and essential newborn care in the BHD.

Material and Method

The aim of this study was to determine mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs and essential neonatal care in the BHD. 106 mothers were sampled to carry out a hospital-based cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted from May-June, 2021. The hospitals that provide antenatal care (A NC), delivery, and postnatal services were purposively sampled. The structured interviewer-managed questionnaire was administered to postnatal mothers in the BHD. Frequencies, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were determined using SPSS software (version 20).

Results

Out of the 106 mothers sampled for this study, 80(75.5%) had adequate knowledge on neonatal danger signs and 26(25%) had inadequate knowledge on neonatal danger signs, 73 (68.9%) had adequate knowledge on essential neonatal and 33 (31.1%) had inadequate knowledge on essential neonatal care.

Education level and older mothers were associated to improve mothers’ knowledge on neonatal danger signs and essential neonatal care. Educational level and marital status were tested statistically significant in relation to the level of knowledge.

Conclude recommendation

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

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 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 occur in the community. Mortality statistics are 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, 9].

1.2 Problem Statement.

To reduce neonatal mortality, it is necessary for the sick neonates to access medical care on time. This can be facilitated if the mothers are knowledgeable on neonatal danger signs. Hence, it is important to assess the mother’s knowledge of neonatal danger signs and essential neonatal care in the Buea Health District.

1.3 Objectives

1.4 Main Objective.

To assess mothers’ Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and essential newborn 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 identifying neonatal danger signs in the Buea Health District.
3. To determine maternal knowledge of essential newborn care in the Buea Health District

1.6 Research Questions.

1. What do mothers in the Buea Health District know about neonatal danger signs?
2. What are the challenges faced by mothers in identifying neonatal danger signs?
3. How can mothers in the Buea Health District take proper care of their neonates?