DUYGU KEMER HÜLYA KARATAŞ
Pediatric Practice and Research - 2024;12(1):1-8
Aim: This study was performed to investigate mothers’ knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Materials and Methods: The present research is a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study was carried out in a children’s hospital in the southeast of Turkey. The study sample consisted of 214 mothers who had infants aged between 0-12 months, did not have communication barriers, and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected by the face-to-face interview method using the Demographic Information Questionnaire and the Neonatal Danger Signs Information Form. Results: The mean danger signs knowledge score of the mothers was found to be 9.78±3.41. The knowledge of 88.3% of the mothers was at a "good" level. The mothers reported cough and diarrhea as danger signs at the highest rate of 81.8%, fever at a rate of 80.4%, and vomiting and malnutrition at a rate of 79%. The factors affecting the mothers’ knowledge of danger signs (high/low) were examined by binary logistic regression analysis, and it was found that income status affected their knowledge (p<0.05). Although the mothers’ knowledge and experience of danger signs were high, they presented to health institutions at a low level. Conclusion: It was recommended that mothers should be informed about the things that must be done regarding neonatal danger signs.
