A study to assess the knowledge and practices of newborn care among mothers attending pediatric inpatient departments of selected hospitals in pune

Introduction/Background: Globally, four million newborns die before they reach one month of age. In 2015 approximately 45% of deaths among children under five were newborns.1 The mortality ratio of Infant and under 5 in developing countries have reduced significantly in the past couple of decades, but the neonatal mortality rates have remained static.2 Methods: The study has conducted using cross sectional design. A structured questionnaire and observation checklist was used to collect the data was used to interview the mothers. The survey questionnaire consisted of three sections; Section A was pertaining to socio-demographic information, section B was regarding Antenatal care; Section C was regarding the immediate newborn care including cord care, eye care, bathing of newborn and breastfeeding practices Results: Respondents' mean knowledge was on keeping newborn warm was 40.2%, on newborn care 48.4%, on immunization 71.8%, on danger signs 25.53. Mean knowledge and practice of respondents was on measures to keep warm 8.5 and 17. Although 62 (62%) had knowledge regarding handwash before the breastfeeding, and after diaper care, only 11 (11%) followed it in practice.