Effect of Instructional Guidelines on Mothers' Knowledge and Practice regarding their Neonatal Care

Abstract

Background: The newborn’s mother is the key person who takes care and fulfills the needs of thenewborn either physiological or psychological. Therefore, it is essential to apply instructionalprograms that appreciate mothers to have the correct knowledge, home care practice, and attitude toraise their healthy children. Aim: To evaluate the effect of instructional guidelines on mothers'knowledge and practice regarding neonatal care. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasiexperimental research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in maternal and childhealth centers at Sohag City (Dar E Salam Abdallah health center). Sample: Α Purposive sample of150 neonates and their mothers. Tool for data collection: A structured interview questionnaire,which included three parts; (I) demographic characteristics; (II) mothers’ knowledge and (III) thereported practice (pre/post) regarding breast feeding, thermal control, skin care, and cord care.Results: The main source of information for mothers was their family. Ther was an improvement ofmothers’ knowledge regarding all aspects of care of their neonates before and after implementationof instructional guidelines. there was a statistically significant difference in mothers’ reported carepractices of their neonates before and after implementation of the instructional guidelines regardingbreastfeeding, kept warm practice, skin care practice, and cord care practices. Conclusion:Instructional guidelines had а positive effect on mothers' knowledge and reported practice regardingneonatal care. Recommendations: Instructional guidelines regarding neonatal care should beeducated to mothers during antenatal period