Knowledge of Neonatal Danger Signs Among Mothers Attending Vaccination Centers in Central West Bank: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: One core goal of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is embracing good health and well-being among all age groups including the vulnerable neonatal age group. Aside from the contribution of preconception, antenatal, and intrapartum factors, neonatal health is a harmony between the mother's health and neonatal care. In Palestine, specifically in the Central West Bank, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the determinants of neonatal deaths. Through this study, we investigated the level of mothers' knowledge and awareness in recognizing neonatal danger signs (NDS) and associated factors. Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through convenient sampling. This study involved 377 mothers who gave birth in the last year and attended primary care centers for child vaccination in Ramallah and Jerusalem Governance from December 2023 to January 2024. This was done using structured questionnaires completed through face-to-face interviews covering socio-demographic variables, mothers' reproductive history, and NDS knowledge assessment. Results: Among the 377 mothers, only 51% had good knowledge, reporting at least three danger signs. The most frequently mentioned were difficulty breathing (73.2%) and fever (64.7%), while hypothermia (2.7%) and convulsions (11.7%) were the least mentioned. Statistical analysis indicated that having a national health insurance card and an educated husband are significantly associated with mothers' knowledge of NDS. These factors could potentially be important to consider in intervention and educational programs aimed at improving mothers' knowledge. Conclusion: This study showed that mothers' knowledge of NDS is relatively low, impacting public health in Palestine as in other developing countries. Therefore, collective efforts are needed to educate mothers on the importance of early NDS identification.