Changing knowledge and practices of mothers on newborn care through mother class: An intervention study in Indonesia

Abstract

Poor knowledge and practices of newborn care may contribute to high neonatal mortality. This study aims to analyze the effect of prenatal education, namely 'mother class', on knowledge and practices of newborn care among mothers in Tangerang Selatan District, Indonesia. An intervention study with a quasi-experimental design was conducted. Using a questionnaire, 427 mothers were interviewed: an intervention group (n=214) that attended mother class and a control group (n=213) that had not. A home visit followed the intervention to assess newborn care practices. Mother class used Maternal and Child Health Handbook as the main reference material. Attending mother class significantly increased knowledge of breastfeeding initiation and hepatitis B immunization (p < 0.05). Mothers in the intervention group had the likelihood of practicing good newborn care compared with the control group (odds ratio: 1.812; 95% confidence interval: 1.235-2.660). Mother class improves knowledge and newborn care practices and strengthens interactions between mothers and health care providers.