Awareness and healthcare seeking behavior of neonatal danger signs, and predictor variables among mothers/caregivers in four developing regional state of Ethiopia

Nagasa Dida; Lonsako Abute; Tariku Dejene; Tolasa Yadate; Temesgen Geleta; Rachana Sharma; Hnin Su Mon; Tesfaye Simireta; Hailemariam Addisu

doi:10.1186/s12887-024-04656-8

Awareness and healthcare seeking behavior of neonatal danger signs, and predictor variables among mothers/caregivers in four developing regional state of Ethiopia

BMC Pediatr. 2024 Mar 16;24(1):188. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-04656-8.

Authors

Nagasa Dida¹, Lonsako Abute², Tariku Dejene³, Tolasa Yadate⁴, Temesgen Geleta⁵, Rachana Sharma⁶, Hnin Su Mon⁶, Tesfaye Simireta⁶, Hailemariam Addisu⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Medicine and Health Science College, Ambo University, P.O.B: 19, Ambo, Ethiopia. nadibefe@yahoo.com.
² School of Public Health, Medicine and Health Science College, Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia.
³ Center for Population Studies, College of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Public Health, Medicine and Health Science College, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia.
⁵ School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁶ Social and Behavioral Change Program, UNICEF, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁷ Health Education and Promotion Team, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Mothers/caregivers should be aware of a newborn's danger signs and promptly seek medical attention. Hence, this study assessed mothers'/caregivers' awareness, healthcare seeking behaviors for neonatal danger signs and their determinants in the developing regional state of Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among mothers/caregivers of neonates in the developing regional state of Ethiopia. The sample was determined in collaboration with the Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia. Stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used to recruit the sample. Data were collected through an interviewer administered structured questionnaire using a tablet computer. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were applied to identify determinants of awareness and treatment-seeking behavior for neonatal danger signs.

Results: The result of the study showed that nearly one-third (32.7%) of the respondents had a good level of awareness of neonatal danger signs, and 69.0% of the respondents had good healthcare-seeking practice about neonatal danger signs. Regional state (Benishangul-Gumuz) [AOR = 1.61; 95% CI (1.09, 2.39)], Muslim's [AOR = 1.75; 95% CI (1.20, 2.55)] and permission to travel to a health facility [AOR = 0.48; 95% CI (0.37, 0.63)] were determinants of mothers'/caregivers' awareness about neonatal danger signs. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance and institutional delivery were shown to have a positive association with neonatal healthcare seeking (AOR = 2.14 and AOR = 2.37, respectively).

Conclusion: In Ethiopia's developing regional states, mothers/caregivers were remarkably unaware of neonatal danger signs. Region, religion, mothers'/caregivers' age, and need for permission to travel to a health facility were predictor variables for neonatal danger sign awareness. Better healthcare seeking practices, which are determined by ANC attendance and institutional delivery, are observed in these regions. Federal and regional governments should give these regions due attention. Moreover, regional health bureaus and health professionals should tackle the problem by focusing on the identified factors.

Keywords: Awareness; Developing regional state; Ethiopia; Healthcare seeking behavior; Neonatal danger signs.

MeSH terms

Caregivers*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ethiopia
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Mothers*
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Pregnancy