Assessment of Neonatal Care Practices Among Mothers Attending Postnatal Clinic at Mukono General Hospital Mukono District

Abstract

Uganda's neonatal mortality rate was 20/1000 live births, and the country aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of 12 deaths per 1000 live births, or less, by 2030. Countries have decreased newborn deaths,infections, and intensive care unit admissions using the evidenced-based 'Essential Newborn Care' guidelines established by the World Health Organization. To assess the neonatal care practices among mothers attending a postnatal clinic at Mukono General Hospital. Mukono District. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess 385 postnatal mothers at the six-week vaccination services at Mukono General Hospital. Data collection was done using a valid questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive and binary logistic regression. The majority (65.1%) had good ENC knowledge and practice, whereas a third (34.9%) had poor knowledge and practice. Significant gaps in ENC included timing of breastfeeding 33(17.2%), cord care 32(16.7%), and thermoregulation of small birth weight newborns 6(3.1%). Significant associations with ENC included maternal age (p=0.003), and ENC education postpartum (p=0.020). The overall knowledge and practice of ENC are encouraging in this population, particularly with ENC education given postpartum, and older mothers. However, major gaps included evidencebased cord care, thermoregulation, and breastfeeding, particularly among younger mothers. Keywords: Neonatal mortality rate, Newborns deaths, Breastfeeding, Postnatal Mothers, ENC.