WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Dhuha Khudair Yas Khudair Al-Bayati, Dr. Batool Ali Hassan and Dr. Hossam Aldin Muhannad

ABSTRACT

Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish coloration of the sclera, skin or mucous membranes of the neonate due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Neonatal jaundice is still a primary cause of avoidable brain damage, mental and physical handicaps, and premature mortality in infants. It is crucial that mothers have precise understanding about how to recognize infant jaundice and respond appropriately. Thus, knowledge level, attitude and identifying the practices of mothers are key in improving newborn survival and reducing neonatal mortality rates. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers about neonatal jaundice in Al-Imammein Al-Kadhimein medical city in Baghdad.method: this study was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out among 300 mothers who attending outpatient in al-imammein al- kadhimein medical city to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding neonatal jaundice. A designed questionnaire was conducted to included mothers to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards neonatal jaundice. Analysis of data was carried out using the available version package of SPSS-25 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences- version 5). Depending on Pearson Chi-square test (X2-test) to test the significance of the results at P value equal or less than 0.05.Results: of the 300 participant mothers only (34.3%) of mothers had good knowledge, (60%) fair knowledge and (5.7%) poor knowledge to the neonatal jaundice. (64.3 %) was had positive attitude toward neonatal jaundice and (35.7%) had negative attitude. (52.3%) had good practice toward neonatal jaundice and (47.7%) had poor practice regarding neonatal jaundice. There was significant association between knowledge about neonatal jaundice and children number, marital status, mother's employment status, socioeconomic status and residency. There was significant association between attitude towards neonatal jaundice and type of delivery of the neonate, source of information, marital status, mother's education level, mother's employment status, socioeconomic status and residency. There was significant association between practice towards neonatal jaundice and type of delivery of the neonate, source of information, marital status, mother's education level, mother's employment status, socioeconomic status and residency. Conclusion: About more than half of participants had fair knowledge toward neonatal jaundice, more than one third of participants had negative attitude toward neonatal jaundice, and less than half had poor practice toward neonatal jaundice. Based on the current study result we recommend further studies on larger scale to assess the exact knowledge, attitude, and practice level of Iraqi mothers toward neonatal jaundice. Improve knowledge, attitude and practice about neonatal jaundice in primary health care center.