Knowledge of mothers about post-discharge newborn care

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.