Comparative Study of Knowledge of Urban and Rural Mothers about Neonatal Care

Abstract Objectives : The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the knowledge about the neonatal care among the mothers in urban and rural area in district Ajmer province of Rajasthan Materials and methods : Comparative randomized descriptive study was conducted among mothers who willingly gave consent to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire were framed and mothers were interviewed, the answers were recorded. To judge the knowledge score of the mothers closed ended questions having four alternatives were also framed. One mark was allocated for correct response. Results : Among 5800 deliveries, 400 mothers (205 mothers were Urban and 195 mothers were from Rural area) were randomly selected. Mothers with Antenatal check-up had knowledge score of 61% compared to 24% who had no regular antenatal checkup. Knowledge about “Exclusive Breastfeeding” was 84.39% and 68.20% urban mothers and rural mothers and regarding adequacy was 73.17% in Urban and 44.61% in rural mothers. Knowledge about Hygiene was 89.75% and 53.33% in Urban and rural mothers. Skin care and baby bath was 28.29% and 18.46% in Urban and Rural mothers respectively. Knowledge about danger signs was 81.95% and 60% in Urban and Rural mothers respectively. Knowledge regarding immunization at birth was 70.7% and 35.89% in Urban and Rural mothers respectively. Conclusions : Main factors affecting the knowledge score of the mothers about neonatal care were Educational status and Antenatal checkup. Knowledge about adequacy of breastfeeding, Immunization at birth, Danger signs, Temperature maintenance and hygiene was less in rural mothers as compared to urban mothers.