Assessment of Knowledge and Health Care Seeking Behavior About Neonatal Danger Signs Among Mothers Visiting Immunization Unit in Selected Governmental Health Centers ,ADDIS Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Danger signs in the neonatal period are nonspecific and can be a manifestation of
almost any neonatal disease. Early identification of neonatal dander signs by mothers with
prompt and appropriate referral service are backbone programs aiming at reduction in neonatal
mortality. In Ethiopia, a country where a neonatal mortality rate high, raising the awareness of
mothers on danger signs of neonate and appropriate care seeking behavior is crucial to sustain the
achievement done.
Objective: To find out knowledge and health care seeking behavior about neonatal danger signs
among mothers visited immunization unit in selected governmental health centers, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 2014.
Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013-June
2014 on a sample of 373 mothers from randomly selected 16 governmental health centers of
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study participants were selected using convenient sampling
technique. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative
data was collected through in-depth interview with mothers. Data entering, coding and clearing
were performed using Epinfo version 3.5.4 and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.
Result: Out of the total respondents about 280(77.1 %) mothers knew at least one neonatal
danger sign. The most common mentioned neonatal danger signs were Diarrhea 58.9%,
Persistent vomiting, 43.9%, and Fever, 32.9%. About 121 (39.5%) of mothers had seen a sick
neonate with common manifestation of fever and health care was sought for 65.3% of sick
neonates. Overall, most of the respondents 59.8% were a moderately knowledgeable of neonatal
danger signs while 24.2% were highly knowledgeable, and 16% were poorly knowledgeable.
Knowledge of at least one neonatal danger sign was significantly associated with health care
seeking behavior (AOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.062, P=0.038), and mother’s decision making on
health care seeking (AOR: 2.031, 95% CI (1.001, 16.927, P=0.01).
Conclusion and Recommendation: This study indicated that the knowledge level of most
mothers about neonatal danger signs was moderate. Therefore, the identified deficiencies in
awareness and health care seeking practice should be addressed through maternal and child health
services by designing an appropriate strategies including provision of targeted information,
education and communication.
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Keywords
Knowledge, Health Care, Governmental Health Centers