Department of Paediatrics, Bayero University; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Department of Paediatrics, University of Minnesota; Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
J Trop Pediatr. 2021 Jan 29;67(1). doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmaa134.
Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition and when not adequately treated leads to acute bilirubin encephalopathy/kernicterus. This largely preventable condition is an important cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries. Education, early detection and effective management are key for prevention and require an understanding of community knowledge and practices to foster appropriate behavior to prevent severe NNJ. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify knowledge, observation for jaundice (both active and passive) and practices related to NNJ in northern Nigeria.
This descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study enrolled 298 household members with an average age of 29.8 years in Kano, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire regarding knowledge of, potential sequelae and causes and local practices related to NNJ was administered and data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics.
Participants reported: 85% NNJ to be a sign of illness; 3% understood that NNJ could cause brain damage; 94% did not actively observe for jaundice in their newborns; 56% did not know what causes NNJ; 88% would seek care if their newborn developed jaundice. Significant relationships between educational levels and what study participants would do if a newborn develops jaundice and between occupation, educational level and knowledge about causes of NNJ were noted, consistent with a difference in active jaundice observation between ethnic groups.
A public health approach to NNJ with a strong community education program is a crucial next step in the fight to eliminate severe NNJ.
新生儿黄疸（NNJ）是一种常见病症，如果得不到充分治疗，会导致急性胆红素脑病/核黄疸。这种在很大程度上可预防的疾病是中低收入国家儿童死亡和残疾的一个重要原因。教育、早期发现和有效管理是预防的关键，需要了解社区的知识和实践，以培养预防严重 NNJ 的适当行为。因此，本研究旨在确定尼日利亚北部与 NNJ 相关的知识、黄疸观察（主动和被动）和实践。
这是一项描述性、相关性和横断面研究，在尼日利亚卡诺招募了 298 名平均年龄为 29.8 岁的家庭。一份关于 NNJ 的知识、潜在后果、原因和当地做法的结构化问卷，数据采用描述性和卡方检验进行分析。
参与者报告：85%的 NNJ 是疾病的迹象；3%的人知道 NNJ 会导致脑损伤；94%的人不会主动观察新生儿的黄疸；56%的人不知道什么导致 NNJ；如果新生儿出现黄疸，88%的人会寻求治疗。参与者的教育程度与其在新生儿出现黄疸时的做法之间存在显著关系，以及职业、教育程度和 NNJ 原因的知识之间存在显著关系，这与不同种族之间主动观察黄疸的差异一致。
针对 NNJ 采取公共卫生方法，制定强有力的社区教育计划，是消除严重 NNJ 的重要下一步。
