Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess knowledge and practices of postnatal mothers on essential newborn care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out within a community with 100 postnatal moms and their newborns. Approval was obtained from the institute's ethical committee. A birth registration at each sub-centre was consulted to compile a list of postnatal mothers who gave birth during the study period and registered using convenience sampling methods. Results: Participants averaged 25.65 years old with a standard deviation of 3.87. Most postnatal mothers (95%) were Hindu, living in joint families (80%), and housewives (94%). Over 50% of the moms had at least a secondary level education, and most of them were from middle-class or higher socioeconomic origins according to the revised BG Prasad's scale-2019. Babies had an average birth weight of 2906±460.4 grams. The majority of the neonates were second-born (46%) with an average gestational age of 38.62±1.76 weeks. The study included nearly equal numbers of male and female neonates. The majority of newborns (74%), weighed 2500-3499 g. On average, newborns were 19.26±8.72 days old during their mothers' postnatal interviews. The average knowledge scores of postnatal moms on Essential Newborn Care (ENBC) were 24.46±6.74. About 50% of postnatal mothers were moderately knowledgeable. Postnatal mothers in Essential Newborn Care (ENBC) had an average practice score of 22.48±4.06. Over two-thirds of postnatal mothers practiced enough.

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