Abstract:
Bachgound
Rwanda places neonatal death at 20/1000 live births, it aims at decreasing the neonatal death to
12 deaths per 1000 live births, countries have shown the reduction in newborn deaths, infections
and intensive care unit admissions with essential Newborn Care (ENC) knowledge and Practices.
A study conducted in Ghana reported a gap on ENC knowledge especially cord care 36.8%,
thermal care 34.9% and breast feeding 73.7%. A guideline named “essential newborn care” has
been established by world health organization (WHO) as an evidence-based measure to use in
order to meet the goal.
Objective
To explore the postnatal mothers‟ knowledge and practices of essential newborn care in Kayonza
district
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 192 postnatal mothers attended six week
vaccination services was used as respondents. Dichotomous kinds of questions were mostly used
in a valid questionaire. Data analysis included descriptive and binary logistic regression
Result: The average good knowledge and practice on all components of essential newborn care
were 65.1% and average poor knowledge and practice were 34.9%. Significant gaps were found
in cord card 32(16.7%), thermoregulation of small birth weight babies 6(3.1%), and timing of
subsequent breast feeding 2-3 hours 33(17.2%). Factors strongly associated with ENC
knowledge and practice were education of ENC after delivery and age of the mother as indicated
(OR=2.248, P=.020, CI=1.137-4.446); (OR=1.526 with P=.003 respectively.
Conclusion: The over all knowledge and practices of ENC is encouraging, however emphasis
should be made on particular components with major gaps. Considering education of ENC after
birth and age of the mother would be crucial.
