KNOWLEDGE OF NEONATAL JAUNDICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING IMMUNIZATION CLINICS IN SELECTED LGAS OF NIGER STATE, NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background:
Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) remains a leading cause of admission in low-resource settings, with many presenting with late complications. Addressing the burden of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria will require adequate knowledge by the mother for prompt health-seeking interventions. Herein, we assess the knowledge of NNJ and associated factors among mothers in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study of mothers attending vaccination centres using a multi-staged random sampling method was
carried out in three local government areas in Niger state. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess the mothers' knowledge and other relevant socio-demographics.

Results
A total of 417 mothers participated in this study, with a mean age of 22 ± 6 years. Most mothers were aged 20 to 35 years (350; 83.9%). Two hundred and twenty-three (53.5%) mothers have heard of neonatal jaundice. Among the mothers, only a few could recognize the symptoms (61; 14.6%), complications (60; 14.4%), and aetiology (16; 3.8%) of NNJ. Three hundred and seventy-five (89.9%) mothers had poor knowledge of NNJ. Factors that were associated with poor knowledge of NNJ included having four children or fewer with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.5, 95% CI 1.618 to 7.573, no formal education (AOR 5.846, 95% CI 1.478, 23.118), and secondary level of education (AOR 3.707, 95% CI 1.111 to 12.369).
Conclusion
This study shows poor knowledge of NNJ among mothers in Niger State and calls for urgent intervention to raise awareness and
health education among mothers