KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND EXPERIENCES OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH NEONATAL JAUNDICE ATTENDING POST-NATAL CARE SERVICES AT ADEOYO MATERNITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Neonatal Jaundice (NNJ) is a condition that could lead to brain damage if not managed early. In Nigeria, many mothers are not well informed about the condition before their children experience it, thus resulting in adverse consequences such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy. This study was therefore designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and experience of mothers of children with neonatal jaundice attending post-natal care services at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital (AMTH), lbadan, Nigeria. A descriptive study was employed using a purposive sampling technique in selecting 396 mothers who attended post-natal clinic at AMTH. Data were collected using pre-tested in-depth Interview (IDI) guide and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained a 12-point knowledge, 11-point perception scales and questions on experience. Knowledge scores of 0-6 and >6 were rated as fair and good respectively. Perception scores of 0-6 and >6 were rated as negative and positive perception, and health-seeking behaviour scores of 0-6 and >6 as poor and good respectively. Six IDIs sessions were conducted among mothers whose neonates had experienced NNJ. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Age of the respondents was 31.9±7.2 years. The highest level of education was University/Polytechnic (66.4%). There were 84.8% Yorubas and 62.7% Christians. Knowledge score was 10.3±4.0 and 76.5% respondents had good knowledge of NNJ. Respondents aged 27-36 years had the highest knowledge score (10.5±3.8). Perception score was 7.4±3.0 and majority (77.0%) had positive perception. Fear of death (31.0%) topped list of concerns when NNJ was noticed, followed by fear of complications (24.1%). Respondents (22.0%) whose neonates had experienced NNJ reported complications such as poor growth (57.1%) and infection (14.3%). Mothers (70.2%) who were aware of NNJ previously demonstrated positive perception (60.9%) and had higher knowledge (45.5%) than those who were not aware. Age of mothers was significantly associated with their perception of NNJ. Respondents aged 27- 36 years were 2.4 times more likely to exhibit positive perception of NNJ compared with those aged 17-26 years (OR =2.4, 95% CI=1, 4-4.1). The IDI revealed that only one participant had no idea of NNJ before her neonate experienced it. Also another participant was not afraid when it occurred only one participant made attempts to know more about NNJ. All participants could outline causes, identify signs of NNJ and took action to get their neonates treated. Mothers attending post-natal care clinic at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Oyo state had good knowledge and positive perception about neonatal jaundice. However, there is need to raise the knowledge level of neonatal jaundice during the post-natal period among mothers.