Knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers attending pediatric immunization clinics in Gidan District Health Centers, North Wollo, Ethiopia

Background: The majority of neonatal deaths in developing countries occurred at home due to late recognition of the signs of serious illness by parents or caregivers. In Ethiopia, besides the attempts made to scale-up the maternal and child health services, maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs is low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among mothers attending pediatric immunization clinics in Gidan district health centers, North Wollo, Ethiopia. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1-30, 2020, among 399 mothers attending pediatric immunization clinics in Gidan district health centers. The data were collected using a pretested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epidata version 4.4.2.0 was used for data entry, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were computed. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio along with 95% CI was calculated, and variables that had a P-value <0.05 were declared statistically significant. Result: The level of good maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs in the study area was 48.1% (95% CI, 43.6%-52.9%). Maternal education level (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI, 1.22-10.55), parity (AOR: 2.10, 95% CI 1.18-3.71), having postnatal care follow-up (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI, 1.21-3.49), receiving health education about neonatal danger signs (AOR: 4.87, 95% CI, 2.73-8.68), and previous experience of neonatal danger signs (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI, 1.33-4.15) were significantly associated variables with the maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs. Conclusion: This study revealed that maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs was low. Maternal educational level, parity, postnatal care follow-up, health education about neonatal danger signs, and previous experience of neonatal danger signs were significantly associated variables. Therefore, maternal knowledge of neonatal danger signs needs to be enhanced through improving postnatal care services utilization and providing adequate health education about newborn health problems.