N B Mahalakshmi, S Madhavi, K Rajendran, R Renuga, Surendran Surya, J Menaka, N Sivasubramanian
KMCH College of Nursing, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu - 641048, India.
Department of Paediatric & Neonatology, KMCHIHSR, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu - 641048, India.
Bioinformation. 2024 Sep 30;20(9):1022-1025. doi: 10.6026/9732063002001022. eCollection 2024.
Maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs and subsequent healthcare-seeking behaviors are critical for early intervention and reducing neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess these factors among mothers attending the Immunization Centre at KMCH Hospital, Coimbatore. A quantitative approach with a descriptive design was employed. Fifty mothers were selected via convenience sampling and administered a structured questionnaire. This tool encompassed socio-demographic variables, obstetric history, and a 30-item assessment on maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Findings revealed that while 80% of mothers exhibited moderate knowledge, only 16% demonstrated adequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour included maternal education, family income and access to healthcare services. Comparative analysis with previous studies underscored consistent patterns of moderate knowledge but highlighted regional disparities in healthcare access and socio-economic impacts. The study emphasizes the critical need for targeted educational interventions to enhance maternal awareness of neonatal danger signs and promote early healthcare seeking. Improving maternal knowledge and behaviour could significantly mitigate neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in Coimbatore and similar settings. Future research should focus on sustained behaviour change and broader implementation of educational initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
母亲对新生儿危险信号的认知以及随后的就医行为对于早期干预和降低新生儿死亡率至关重要。本研究旨在评估在哥印拜陀KMCH医院免疫中心就诊的母亲中的这些因素。采用了具有描述性设计的定量方法。通过便利抽样选取了50名母亲，并对其进行了结构化问卷调查。该工具涵盖了社会人口统计学变量、产科病史，以及一份关于母亲对新生儿危险信号和就医行为认知的30项评估。研究结果显示，虽然80%的母亲表现出中等程度的认知，但只有16%的母亲对新生儿危险信号有充分的认知。影响就医行为的因素包括母亲的教育程度、家庭收入和获得医疗服务的机会。与以往研究的比较分析强调了中等程度认知的一致模式，但突出了在医疗服务可及性和社会经济影响方面的地区差异。该研究强调了有针对性的教育干预措施的迫切需求，以提高母亲对新生儿危险信号的认知并促进早期就医行为。提高母亲的认知和行为可以显著降低哥印拜陀及类似地区的新生儿发病率和死亡率。未来的研究应关注持续的行为改变以及更广泛地实施教育举措，以改善孕产妇和新生儿的健康结局。
