Background: Neonates are more prone to show subtle signs of illness. Most infants are either born at home or are discharged from the health facility early, families should be able to recognize signs of newborn illnesses and bring the newborn infant to the attention of a health worker.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was carried out in wolkite town from March to April, 2017. A total of 368 mothers who gave birth within 12 months prior to the study period were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Pretested Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported into statistical package for social science version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used for identifying statistically significant associations between dependent and independent variables.
Result: In this study, 31.32% of mothers have good knowledge about neonatal danger sign. From a total of mothers, 64.5% respondents’ practice for their sick neonate was unsafe. Mothers secondary and above educational level (AOR=1.21, CI 0.049, 0.677), income (AOR=0.44, CI 0.201, 0.964), place of birth (AOR=1.867, CI 1.102, 3.164) and source of information (AOR=0.173, CI 0.034, 0.875) were factors for having good knowledge. Husbands’ educational level (AOR=0.183, CI 0.049, 0.677), husbands’ occupation (AOR=0.132, CI 0.032, 0.543), place of delivery (AOR=6.45, CI 2.617, 7.185) and PNC follow up (AOR=6.19, CI 1.070, 5.626) were factors that contribute for mothers to bring their sick neonate to health institution.
Conclusion and recommendation: There was poor knowledge of mothers towards neonatal danger signs and unsafe practice. Town health office, NGOs and health workers should collaborate to create awareness about neonatal danger sign in the community.
Walellign Anmut, Bekana Fekecha and Tigist Demeke
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