AWARENESS ABOUT DANGER SIGNS IN NEONATES AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN URBAN AND SEMI-URBAN INDIA
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Keywords
Neonatal danger signs, maternal awareness, antenatal counseling, community health, neonatal mortality prevention
Abstract
Background Neonatal danger signs (NDSs) are early indicators of serious newborn illness. Timely recognition by mothers can significantly improve newborn survival outcomes.
Methods In a cross-sectional, facility-based study conducted at Great Eastern Medical College and two affiliated health centers in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, 580 postnatal mothers were interviewed between June to 15th October 2025. Data were collected through WHO-adapted structured questionnaires assessing knowledge of 15 NDSs. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression.
Results The mean maternal age was 26.3±4.8 years. Overall, 43% of mothers demonstrated adequate knowledge (≥3 signs). Fever (92%), poor feeding (56%), and convulsions (60%) were the most recognized signs. Hypothermia (27%) and jaundice (29%) were least known. Graduate-level education (odds ratio [OR]: 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–5.3), higher socioeconomic status (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5–3.9), and receipt of antenatal counseling (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9–4.5) independently predicted adequate knowledge.
Conclusions: Maternal awareness of neonatal danger signs remains inadequate in semi-urban India. Targeted health education during antenatal and postnatal care can improve recognition and care-seeking. Integration of community-level education via ASHA and ANM workers is recommended to strengthen India’s Newborn Action Plan strategies.
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All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Swamy Naidu Dasari
DNB, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Great Eastern Medical College, Srikakulam, India
Dr. Vinod Kumar Kurmana
DNB, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Great Eastern Medical College, Srikakulam, India
Dr. Sravana Durga
MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Great Eastern Medical College, Srikakulam, India