Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Regarding Home Care Management Of High Risk Newborn Among Mothers In Chengalpattu District – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Each year, around 3.1 million newborns die during the neonatal period, with nearly 99% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. The neonatal phase is critical for child survival and requires timely, appropriate care. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a key role in ensuring effective newborn care. Proper understanding of hygiene, breastfeeding, thermal protection, and danger sign recognition can greatly reduce neonatal risks. A positive attitude and correct practices improve outcomes significantly. Enhancing maternal education is essential for reducing neonatal mortality in resource-limited settings. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding home care management of high risk new born among mothers and to determine the association of home care management of high risk new born with their selected demographic variables. Methodology: A total of 50 postnatal women were enrolled as participants in this study. A non-experimental descriptive survey design was utilized, with consecutive sampling employed for participant recruitment. Data were gathered through direct interviews conducted by the principal investigator. A structured interview schedule was designed, encompassing socio-demographic variables as well as the knowledge and attitudes of postnatal mothers regarding neonatal care practices at home. The instrument included 25 multiple-choice questions and a 5-point Likert scale to assess attitudes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 23. Results: The findings of the study demonstrated a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding home-based neonatal care among postnatal mothers, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.079 and a p-value of 0.937, indicating no statistically significant association. However, knowledge scores exhibited statistically significant associations with selected socio-demographic variables, including level of education, occupational status, parity, and monthly household income. Similarly, attitude scores were significantly associated with age, educational attainment, parity, and monthly family income.

Conclusion: The mother serves as the primary caregiver, delivering immediate and continuous care to the neonate. Consequently, her knowledge and attitude toward neonatal care are shaped by a multitude of influencing factors, including educational background, cultural beliefs, and prior maternal experience. Therefore, the implementation of targeted educational interventions is imperative to enhance maternal competencies and ensure optimal practices in home-based neonatal care during the postnatal period.