FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH AWARENESS OF NEONATAL DANGER SIGNS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING A POSTNATAL CLINIC AT KANGOLE HC IV APAK DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

The ability to clinically recognize danger signs in neonates is an important step in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. The study assesses the factors associated with awareness of neonatal danger signs among women attending a postnatal clinic at Kangole HC IV Apak district.

 Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing the quantitative method of data collection.

 Results

The significant factor associated with awareness of neonatal danger signs was the provision of health education by health workers. Fever was known by the majority 8(27%) of the respondents, followed by difficulty in breathing, 4(17%); convulsions, 4(13%); anorexia, 3(10%); vomiting, 2(7%); and refusal to breast feed, 2(7%). the majority of 28(93%) of the respondents attended antenatal to be health educated on the neonatal danger signs while a few 2(7%) did not. Of 25(83%) respondents said that they delivered the baby from the health facility to get health workers' advice on care and identifying neonatal danger signs. The majority 17(57%) of the respondents said that their families were extended and that the funds were insufficient to cater for health services to get information from the hospital about neonatal danger signs, while a few 13(43%) said that they were not. The majority 20(67%) of the respondents resided in rural areas while a few 10(33%) resided in urban areas. 

 Conclusion

Exposure to knowledge and awareness of neonatal danger signs was limited to health centers and has not been largely rolled out to the general population yet the fight against neonatal mortality should involve combined efforts of both mothers, their families, and the general public.

 Recommendation

The Ministry of Health should conduct radio/television talk shows that include panels of local leaders and technical experts discussing the importance of facility delivery for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes and prevention of neonatal danger signs.