KNOWLEDGE OF NEONATAL DANGER SIGNS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS WHO GAVE BIRTH IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS IN CHOLE DISTRICT, ARSI ZONE, SOUTH EAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Neonatal danger sign is presence of clinical signs that would indicate high risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality and need for early therapeutic intervention. Early detection of neonatal illness by mothers is an important step towards improving newborn survival. Even though mother’s knowledge of neonatal danger signs plays a critical role in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality, studies on the area were limited and most of them were institution-based study which doesn’t include rural mothers and mothers with home delivery. Objective: To assess knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mother’s who gave birth in the past 6 months, at chole district, Arsi zone, South East Ethiopia from March 1 to 15, 2019. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 postnatal mothers by using multistage sampling method. Structured interviewer administered pre-tested questionnaire which was adopted from the Safe Motherhood questionnaire was used to collect the data. The collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were used by using binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with mother’s knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. Finally, the result was presented using frequencies, tables and figures. Results: Mother’s level of knowledge on neonatal danger signs was found to be 50.2% (95%CI: 46.3%, 54.3%). Mother’s and husband’s secondary and above educational level [AOR= 2.15 95%CI: (1.11, 4.17)], and [AOR: 2.05, 95%CI: (1.07, 3.94) respectively, being in Urban [AOR=5.83, 95%CI: (2.77, 12.24)], had four or more antenatal visits [AOR: 2.10, 95%CI: (1.13, 3.90)], counseled during antenatal care [AOR= 4.33 95%CI: (1.88, 9.98)] and knowledge about essential newborn care [AOR=3.91 95%CI: (2.05, 7.48)] were significantly associated with mother’s knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Conclusion: The study revealed that mother’s level of knowledge towards neonatal danger signs was low. Mother’s educational status, husband’s educational status, place of residence, number of antenatal visits, counseled during antenatal visit and knowledge about essential newborn care were factors associated with mother’s knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Innovative strategies that increase awareness of danger signs is needed through strengthening counseling during antenatal care, postnatal services, and essential newborn care services