Neonatal World Conference 2026
Speakers - neo2026
Amanuel Nuramo Sakelo
Amanuel Nuramo Sakelo
- Designation: Wachemo University
- Country: Ethiopia
- Title: Newborn Care Practice and Associated Factors Among Mothers of One Month Old Infants in Southwest Ethiopia
Abstract
Newborn care is a critical component of maternal and child health, encompassing a range of practices provided to the infant from birth up to one month of age. These practices include thermal care, hygienic care, cord care, eye care, breastfeeding, immunization, and the identification of danger signs that require medical attention. Effective newborn care is essential for reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality, which remains a significant public health challenge globally. According to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2016, the neonatal mortality rate in Ethiopia was 29 deaths per 1,000 live births, with the post-neonatal mortality rate at 19 per 1,000. Neonates contributed to nearly half (48 per 1,000) of the overall infant mortality rate, which underscores the importance of promoting proper newborn care practices. Globally, neonatal mortality accounts for approximately two-thirds of all infant deaths, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve care practices during this vulnerable period.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the practice of newborn care and its associated factors among mothers with one-month-old infants in Hossana town, located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia, in 2018. Understanding these practices and their determinants is vital for designing appropriate interventions to improve neonatal health outcomes.
Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 randomly selected mothers with one-month-old babies in Hossana town. Data collection involved structured interviews using pre-tested questionnaires. The collected data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and subsequently analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics summarized the prevalence of newborn care practices, while bivariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with these practices. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of associations.
Results:
The findings revealed that only 31% of mothers demonstrated good newborn care practices based on a composite of key behaviors, including early initiation of breastfeeding, safe cord care, and thermal care. Specifically, 84% of mothers practiced early breastfeeding initiation, 32.9% engaged in safe cord care, and 30.6% performed thermal care for their newborns. Several factors were significantly associated with better newborn care practices. Mothers with higher educational levels—primary (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.03–7.64), secondary (AOR
= 2.60; 95% CI: 0.92–7.32), and college and above (AOR = 3.63; 95% CI: 1.06–12.49)—
were more likely to practice proper newborn care. Additionally, mothers who practiced hand washing before touching their newborns (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.09–5.96) and those with good knowledge about newborn care (AOR = 15.64; 95% CI: 3.60–67.94) showed significantly higher odds of practicing appropriate newborn care behaviors.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
The study indicates that the overall level of comprehensive newborn care practice in Hossana town is suboptimal. Key predictors influencing these practices include maternal education, hygienic practices such as hand washing, and the mother’s knowledge about newborn care. To address these gaps, health authorities and stakeholders should prioritize health education campaigns and counseling to improve maternal awareness and skills related to newborn care. Efforts to enhance maternal education, reinforce hygiene practices, and increase knowledge about newborn health are essential steps toward reducing neonatal mortality and improving neonatal wellbeing in the community.
With immense excitement, we extend an invitation to neonatologists, pediatricians, neonatal nurses, clinical scientists, ...
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