Knowledge of mothers about neonatal danger signs attending Children’s Welfare Teaching Hospital in Medical City Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Background: The first 28 days of life are called neonatal. The youngster is most likely to die at this time. Most newborn fatalities occur in poorer nations with poor health care. WHO-defined neonatal risk symptoms indicate newborn sickness. This research examined moms' sign knowledge. Study objective: To test Iraqi moms' neonatal risk sign understanding in 2024. And to determine what influences mothers' neonatal danger sign awareness. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study which involved 400 mothers who attended to (Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad), during the period from Nov 2023 to Mar 2024. Mothers who knew at least three of the 10 neonatal danger signs were considered to have a good knowledge. Results: survey found 223 (56%) moms have high knowledge. The mothers' most common neonatal danger signs were jaundice (65%), fast breathing (60%) and body heat (51.75%). The least common were coldness (0.75%), redness, foul smelling, umbilical discharge, skin rash, and eye draining (4%). Good knowledge significantly boosted prenatal care visits. Mothers who got assistance from non-heath facility consultants were more knowledgeable. About one in seven mothers saw no warning indications in their children. Conclusion: The study at Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad found that mothers had fair knowledge of neonatal danger signs (NDSs), with jaundice being the most common. Knowledge was higher among those with antenatal care and non-health facility advice, primarily from family and social media. Recommendations include improving education programs in ANCs and PNCs, leveraging mass media, and conducting community-based studies to enhance maternal understanding of NDSs.