Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2017  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 33--41

Knowledge of mothers about post-discharge newborn care


Mohsen Adib-Hajbaghery1, Zahra Khosrojerdi2 
1 Trauma Nursing Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
2 Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

Correspondence Address:
Mohsen Adib-Hajbaghery
Trauma Nursing Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan
Iran

Background and Purpose: Mothers' knowledge of newborn care can significantly affect the neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted on parturient mothers to assess their knowledge about post-discharge newborn care. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 mothers who gave birth in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan, Iran, in 2015. A questionnaire was used, which consisted of 27 multiple-choice questions regarding mother's knowledge of basic neonatal care, breast feeding and proper nutrition, neonatal jaundice monitoring and care, and umbilical cord care. A score of one was given to each correct answer. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean maternal age was 27.74±5.63 years. The mean knowledge score of the mothers was 16.96±3.47 (range: 4 to 23). A direct correlation was found between mothers' age and their knowledge scores (r=0.19, P=0.02). The mean overall score of employed mothers was higher than housewives (18.39±3.27 vs. 16.77±3.46, P=0.036). In covariance analysis, the mothers' education level (P<0.001), age (P=0.027), and place of residence (P<0.049) could predict their knowledge of neonatal care. On the other hand, parity, the route of delivery, and the spouses' job had no significant effect on the mothers' overall knowledge. Conclusion: Mothers' knowledge of newborn care was not at optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. A comprehensive maternal educational program should be established to train all mothers on newborn care both before and after the parturition.


How to cite this article:
Adib-Hajbaghery M, Khosrojerdi Z. Knowledge of mothers about post-discharge newborn care.J Nurs Midwifery Sci 2017;4:33-41


How to cite this URL:
Adib-Hajbaghery M, Khosrojerdi Z. Knowledge of mothers about post-discharge newborn care. J Nurs Midwifery Sci [serial online] 2017 [cited 2023 Mar 20 ];4:33-41
Available from: https://www.jnmsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2345-5756;year=2017;volume=4;issue=2;spage=33;epage=41;aulast=Adib-Hajbaghery;type=0