KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON PREVENTION OF NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA AMONG THE NURSES IN SELECTED HOSPITALS, KAMRUP METRO ASSAM WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP AN INFORMATION BOOKLET: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Hypothermia is one of the main risk factor of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. Most of the studies found that newborn babies of developing countries have a highest risk of LBW and preterm due to low socio economic condition so the neonates have a highest chance to get hypothermia. . Neonatal hypothermia is caused more due to lack of knowledge among the nurses than lack of the equipment like radiant warmer, blower, and incubator. The newborn baby has immature thermoregulatory controls during the early neonatal period. So, nursing personnel need to focus here. The aim Aim: of the study was to assess the Knowledge and practice on prevention of neonatal hypothermia among the nurses. A descriptive researc Methods and Materials: h design used to accomplish the objectives. Study was undertaken on 60 nurses working in NICU and postnatal ward in selected hospitals, Kamrup (M) Assam by using convenience sampling technique.Participents were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Structure knowledge questionnaires, observation checklist were used to assess knowledge and practice. A descri Conceptual framework: ptive research design was used in this study and convenience sampling technique for obtaining adequate sample technique for obtaining adequate sampling technique for obtaining adequate sample for the study. Study was undertaken on 60 nurses in selected hospitals of Kamrup (M), Assam with the inclusive criteria. Knowledge questionnaire and observation checklist was used to assess knowledge and practice on prevention of neonatal hypothermia among the nurses. In this study, modied Nola J Pender's health promotion model was used for conceptual framework. In knowledge, majority 57% of Results: respondents had moderate knowledge, 38% of the respondents had inadequate knowledge and 5% of the respondent had adequate knowledge on prevention of neonatal hypothermia. In practice, majority 62% of respondents had fair practice, 38% had good practice and 0% had poor practice on prevention of neonatal hypothermia. The mean score of knowledge was 15.20±3.74 and the mean score of practice was 9.20±1.31. The calculated Karl Pearson's Correlation Value of r = 0.259 shows a positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores which clearly infers that when the knowledge on prevention of neonatal hypothermia among the Nurses increases their practice level also increases. There was signicant association of knowledge and practice with demographic variable like educational qualication and working area. However there was no signicant association the knowledge score and practice score with their selected demographic like age in year,gender,work experience and training attended. Thus the study concluded that majority of the nurses had moderat Conclusion: e knowledge and practice on prevention of neonatal hypothermia. The nurses need continuous in –service and training education with continuous observation of practice on prevention of neonatal hypothermia which will help to increase their knowledge as well as their practices