Journal of Nursing & Care

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Neonatal Jaundice among Mothers

Abstract

Amidu Alhassan*, Acquah Michaellina Brago, Kwateng Amissah Abena, Coffie Joanita Kekeli and Asiamah Judith Nuamah

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity worldwide and accounts for 75% of hospital readmissions in the first week of life. Severe neonatal jaundice can lead to irreversible brain damage or even death in otherwise healthy new-borns. One means of improving neonatal care and reducing potential mortality associated with neonatal jaundice in resource-limited settings is to create awareness among caregivers. Mothers therefore play a vital role in the early identification and prevention of complications.

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding neonatal jaundice among mothers per available empirical literatures.

Methodology: A critical review was done based on the objectives set for the study. The search for literature was conducted utilizing five (5) electronic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate, EMBASE and CINHAL for studies published in the English language from December, 2011 to 2021. Mendeley 7 software was used to manage retrieval of articles and screening for duplicates.

Findings: A total of twenty-five (25) studies were included in the review. The majority of the studies reviewed reported that mothers had poor knowledge of neonatal jaundice in terms of causes, signs and symptoms, management and prevention and that this was prevalent in most low-tomiddle- income countries. Also, mothers had a negative attitude towards neonatal jaundice. Thus, most mothers affirmed that NNJ is not dangerous enough to be treated at the hospital and prefer to expose the baby to sunlight. Moreover, the majority of the studies reported poor practices of mothers towards the management of NNJ as most mothers exposed their new-borns to direct sunlight, herbal treatment and cutting the area between the baby’s eyebrows with a blade.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of stepping up efforts to improve mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practices of NNJ. Also, health professionals should make use of the numerous media houses to dispel negative cultural beliefs attached to NNJ to aid in seeking early health care at health facilities.

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