INTRODUCTION:

Health of the future children depends on the nurturing practice adopted by the family. The first few days of life constitute a period of transition occurring all of the sudden from parasitic fetal life (intrauterine life) to a completely independent (extra uterine life). Childbirth and neonatal period have great emotional effect on families and could be considered as a new experience in life. Neonatal Mortality is the most leading cause of mortality in children under 5 years of age. It is estimated that out of 3.9 million neonatal deaths that occur worldwide, almost 30% occur in India¹.

Biologically, a child is a human being between the stage of birth and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority². Care of children always traditionally been the forte of mother’s and irrespective of education, income and social, different task of mother’s is to fulfil physical, emotional, social, intellectual and moral needs of children³.

The period from birth to 28 days of life is called as neonatal period and the infant in this period is termed as neonate or newborn baby. The healthy newborn infant born at term, between 38 to 42 weeks, cries immediately after birth, establishes independent rhythmic respiration, quickly adapts with the extra-uterine environment, has an average birth weight and no congenital anomalies⁴. This period necessitates the provision of a conducive environment normally by the mother and to develop a good mother baby relationship. First week of life is the crucial period in the life of an infant⁵.

All the neonates have certain needs that must be met for them to thrive and take their place in society. There are nine universal needs of the newborn infant that is, a clear airway, established respiration, warmth, protection from hemorrhage, protection from infection, identification and observation, nourishment and fluids, love-parent attachment and rest⁶.

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Newborns are vulnerable group and efforts to reduce mortality in such groups will be highly rewarding. Neonatal Mortality is the most leading cause of mortality in children under 5 years of age. It is estimated that out of 3.9 million neonatal deaths that occur worldwide, almost 30% occur in India. Even in populations with poor economic and nutritional status, and low female literacy, the infant mortality rate can be reduced by nearly half through proper newborn care⁸.

New born care refers to the essential care provided to the new born baby by the mother or by the care provider on breast feeding, maintaining body temperature, cares of the cord, care of the eyes, and prevention of infection and injuries. The first week after birth is a time of major metabolic and physiological adaptation for newborn infants. The early life all newborn tries to adapt to the external environment. It is very difficult to adapt. They need special care and need intensive monitoring and support during this critical period of adaptation⁹

Nearly 27 million babies are born in India each year, this account for 20% of global births, of these, 1.0 million die before completing the first four weeks of life, this accounts for nearly 25% of the total 3.9 million neonatal deaths worldwide. Almost 60% of deliveries occur at home and only 46.6 percent of these are attended by skilled birth attendants (doctors, nurses and midwives). It is documented that states with higher institutional births (e.g Kerala) have lower neonatal mortality as compared to those with lower institutional birth (E. g., Uttara Pradesh)⁷.

The mother has a pivotal role to play in the life of her newborn baby. If mother fails the children suffer. The mother copes with life skilfully and with pluck mother was a safeguard to their health. In spite of lapses and failures the mothers stood out as a corner stone of the family structure and remind the chief guardian of child welfare. Thus the mother is presented as the custodian of child’s health. So mother should have knowledge regarding new born care⁶.

Promoting health at home and within the wider community plays an essential part in the reduction of child morbidity and mortality rate. WHO reports state that integrated approach, good feeding practice, immunization, improved hygiene and healthy development of children will help to reduce the child mortality rate. Addressing neonatal mortality requires continuity in the element of care which is lacking in many settings/communities with care for neonates often receiving little attention in maternal and child health program. The greatest gap in care often occurs during the critical first week of life. The maximum neonatal and maternal death occurs in homes and without any contact with the formal health sector. Families need to adapt better nutritional practices, including breastfeeding; learn how to dry and warm their newborns; and better understand the danger signs of maternal and neonatal complication saving newborn lives. Since mothers are the primary care takers of the newborns round the clock, it is their most important priority to assess their knowledge and competency about taking care of the newborns. So, the investigators felt a real need to assess the mother’s knowledge regarding essential newborn care¹.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care.

2. To find out the association between the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding new born care and their selected personal variables.

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁-There will be a significant association between level of knowledge and their selected personal variables.

METHODOLOGY:

RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN:

Descriptive research approach was adopted for the study.

VARIABLES UNDER STUDY:

Research Variables:

Knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding new born care.

Personal Variables:

Personal variables of postnatal mothers include their age in years, educational status, occupation, religion, type of family, family income per month, previous exposure to any information regarding new born care.

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The setting is the physical location and condition in which data collection take place. The study was conducted on JSS hospital and Cheluvamba hospital Mysuru.

POPULATION:

In the present study, population comprises of postnatal mothers who are admitted in postnatal ward.

SAMPLE AND SAMPLE SIZE:

In the presence study, sample size is 50 postnatal mothers.

SAMPLIG TECHNIQUE:

Non probability convenience sampling technique was used for selecting 50 postnatal mothers for the present study.

SAMPLING CRITERIA:

Inclusion Criteria

Postnatal mothers who are

1. Available during data collection.

2. Willing to participate in the study.

3. Primigravida.

Exclusion Criteria:

Postnatal mothers those who are sick.

RESULTS:

Section I-Description of selected personal variables

TABLE 1 Frequency and percentage distribution of postnatal mothers according to their selected personal variablesn=50

Sl no

Sample characteristics

Frequency(f)

Percentage (%)

Age(in years)

1.1)<20

1.2)21-25

1.3)>25

10%

40%

50%

Educational status

2.1No formal education

2.2 Primary education

2.3 High school

2.4 PUC

2.5 Degree and above

44%

10%

20%

12%

14%

Occupation

3.1 home maker

3.2 coolie

3.3 government employee

3.4 private employee

24%

28%

22%

26%

Religion

4.1 Hindu

4.2 Muslim

4.3 Christian

4.4 others

48%

22%

18%

12%

Type of family

5.1 Nuclear family

5.2Joint family

76%

24%

Family income per month(in rupees)

6.1<3000

6.2 3001-6000

6.3 6001-9000

6.4>9000

10%

24%

40%

26%

Previous exposure to source of information

regarding newborn care

7.1 Yes

7.2 No

30%

70%

The data presented in Table 1 shows that, majority 25 (50%) of postnatal mothers were aged above 25 years, majority 22 (44%) of postnatal mothers had no formal education, majority 14 (28%) of postnatal mothers were coolie, majority 24 (48%) postnatal mothers were Hindu, majority 38 (76%) of postnatal mothers belonged to nuclear family, majority 20 (40%) of postnatal mothers had their family monthly income between Rs 6001-9000 and majority 35 (70%) had no previous exposure to source of information regarding newborn care

Section II- Knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care

TABLE 2 : Frequency and percentage distribution of postnatal mothers according to their level of knowledge regarding newborn care. n=50

Level of knowledge	Frequency (f)	Percentage (%)
Poor knowledge (0-10)	23	46%
Average knowledge (11-16)	18	36%
Good knowledge	9	18%

It is evident from Table 2 that, majority 23(46%) of the post natal mothers had poor knowledge and18 (36%) postnatal mothers had average knowledge regarding new born care and 9(18%) of them had good knowledge

TABLE 3: Mean median, standard deviation and range of knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding new born care. n=50

Group

Mean

Median

Standard deviation

Range

Postnatal

Mothers

17.2

+/-3.195

10-22

The data presented in Table 3 shows that, the mean knowledge score is 17.2, the median knowledge score is 18 with standard deviation of ±3.195 and ranged from 10-22.

Section III-Association between knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care and their selected personal variables:

Findings of the study revealed that, there was statistically significant association between the level of knowledge of the postnatal mothers and their selected personal variables except for religion and occupation. Hence, the null hypothesis is not supported and it can be inferred that knowledge of postnatal mothers was influenced by their personal variables.

LIMITATIONS:

The limitations of the present study were,

1. The study is limited to postnatal mothers in selected hospital of Mysuru.

2. The sample size is only 50 postnatal mothers; hence this limits the generalization of findings beyond the study samples.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1 Similar study can be carried out on a larger sample for broader generalization.

2 A comparative study can be conducted to assess knowledge of postnatal mothers in rural and urban community.

CONCLUSION:

The findings of the present study concluded that the post natal mothers had poor knowledge and 18 (36%) postnatal mothers had average knowledge regarding new born care and 9 (18%) of them had good knowledge. the mean knowledge score is 17.2, the median knowledge score is 18 with standard deviation of±3.195 and ranged from 10-22. there was statistically significant association between the level of knowledge of the postnatal mothers and their selected personal variables except for religion and occupation. Hence, the null hypothesis is not supported and it can be inferred that knowledge of postnatal mothers was influenced by their personal variables. Therefore, the study reinforces the need to organize health campaigns and teaching programs which sensitize the postnatal mothers to enhance the knowledge regarding new born care.

REFERENCE:

1. Piyushguptha. Essential Pediatric Nursing, 2^nd ed. Delhi: A P Jain; 2012

2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org.child-definish-2017.

3. Vijayalakshimi N. A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme for mothers of infant on knowledge and attitude on infant rearing practice, Nightingale Nursing Times 2007, Feeb; 2 (17): 23, 56.

4. Essential newborn care https://www.slideshare.net

5. www.newbornwhocc.org

6. Park. K. Textbook of preventive and social medicine, I9th edition, Jaypee brothers publication

7. Infant mortality (serial one) 2006 Aug (cited 2004. november 22) Available from:url:http//www.doctor.ndtv.com

8. UNICEF. Biomedical journal 2002; 25 (106)

9. Marlow Dorothy. Textbook of Paediatric Nursing. 6^th Edition. Philadelphia: Sandra’s Publishers; 2005

Received on 10.02.2018 Modified on 28.03.2018

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2018; 8(3):411-414.

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2018.00084.8