ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE,PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS TOWARDS NEONATAL DANGER SIGNS AMONG MOTHERS WHO HAD GIVEN BIRTH IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTH IN AGENA TOWN

Abstract

Background: Danger signs in neonates are nonspecific and can be a manifestation of almost any neonatal disease. Early identification of neonatal danger signs by mothers with prompt and appropriate referral service is backbone programs aiming at reduction in neonatal mortality. In Ethiopia, a country where a neonatal mortality rate high, raising the awareness of mothers endanger signs of neonate and appropriate care seeking behavior is crucial to sustain the achievement done. Objective-To assess knowledge, practice and Associated factors towards danger sign of neonatal illness among mothers who had given birth in the last twelvemonths in Agena town .Method- Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 24 –January 6 ,2024 G.C on sample of 171 mothers who gave birth within the last 12 months prior to the survey. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Data entering, coding and clearing was performed and analyzed by usingSPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used for identifying significant predictors of the outcome variable. Results-mothers who had knowledge of neonatal danger sign were found to be 50.29% .The odds of having knowledge was positively associated with husband educational status(AOR=1.355,CI[0.181,10.12]).From a totalof mothers 48.5% respondents practice was unsafe. Factors associated with mothers practice were ;mothers educational status(AOR=10.753 CI(1.972,58.624),mothers occupation (AOR=95% CI 0.032(0.006,0.179),husband occupation (AOR=11.514(1.762,75.23)Conclusion-This study showed maternal knowledge about neonatal danger sign and maternal practice towards neonatal danger sign was low. Therefore intervention modality to aware mothers on neonatal danger sign and practice should be implemented