KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF NEONATAL CARE AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHERS IN A URBAN REFERAL HOSPITAL.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The reduction in Neonatal Mortality Rate is a great challenge for us in  the present decade. To achieve this the knowledge of mothers regarding the neonatal care is a major impetus. STUDY DESIGN To ascertain the knowledge of mothers in neonatal care we  undertook this study in our hospital. The study included a questionnaire to ascertain the knowledge of mothers about the common neonatal illnesses and practices. The study group contained one hundred mothers from lower socio-economic class. RESULTS From the study it was evident that the           mothers had adequate knowledge about Weaning, Jaundice and Pre-lacteal feeds. About 47 percent of mothers had an overall score of less than 50 Percent. The knowledge of                  mothers regarding thermal care, burping, immunisation, use of gripe water, oil instillation umbilical and cord care was very low.