KNOWLEDGE OF NEONATAL JAUNDICE BY NURSING MOTHERS ATTENDING POST-NATAL CLINIC AT GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, IMO STATE NIGERIA.

Abstract

Jaundice is one of the most common conditions needing medical attention in newborn babies. 
Jaundice may also be a sign of serious underlying illness this is why this study was designed to 
determine knowledge of neonatal jaundice by nursing mothers attending post-natal clinic at 
government health facilities in Owerri municipal council, Imo State Nigeria. The study adopted 
the survey research design; Owerri Municipal council was used as the study area. The population 
for this study consist of 200 registered nursing mothers who have experienced jaundice in one of 
their children or were currently experiencing jaundice. The population size was not large, no 
sampling was done. Reliability coefficients of 0.801 were obtained for the Test on knowledge of 
neonatal jaundice. Results includes; mean score shows that the level of knowledge on neonatal 
jaundice possessed by nursing mothers attending post-natal clinics is moderate; Nursing mothers 
in Owerri Municipal Council have moderate level of knowledge of neonatal jaundice across 
various parity levels. Conclusion and recommendations were made among others Regular health 
education of nursing mothers on the identification, causes, danger signs, complications, 
appropriate treatment procedures and the prompt step to take when neonatal jaundice is noticed 
should be made mandatory.