Neonatal Jaundice: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards neonatal jaundice among pregnant women.

Study Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the antenatal clinic of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital from 1st March to 30th June 2021.

Results: Majority of the pregnant women were within the age group 26-34years 92(61.7%), resided in urban areas 117(78.5%) and from South-south geo-political zone 91(61.1%). They were mostly multiparous 65(43.6%) with tertiary level of education 100(67.1%). More than half 82(55.0%) of the pregnant women had heard of neonatal jaundice. Majority 131(89.3%) did not know the causes of neonatal jaundice, did not know the area of the body jaundice appeared first 143(96.0%), did not know the complications of neonatal jaundice 106(71.1%), did not know danger signs of neonatal jaundice 141(94.6%) and none knew any preventive method. Majority of the pregnant women 132(88.6%) would visit the hospital if their babies developed jaundice and 131(87.9%) would consent to blood transfusion if the need arose. Only 25(16.8%) pregnant women had had child(ren) with neonatal jaundice, of which 20(80.0%) took child(ren) to the hospital and 12(60.0%) presented to the hospital within 24hours. Only 1(0.7%) woman had good knowledge level, 120(80.5%) had good attitude and 12(8.1%) had good practice levels towards neonatal jaundice. There was statistically significant association between knowledge level and attitude (P value=.003) and practice levels (P value=.001).

Conclusion: Pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital had insufficient knowledge and poor practice but good attitude towards neonatal jaundice. Emphasis should therefore be placed on health education especially during antenatal period on neonatal jaundice and other prevailing health issues as this would improve their knowledge level and thus their attitude and practice.