Neonatal Hypothermia: Mothers’ Knowledge and Practice at a Provincial Hospital in Rwanda

Abstract

Background
 Globally, 2.5 million neonates die each year from hypothermia. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers neonatal hypothermia as a decrease of axillary temperature in infants below 36.5° Celsius. New mothers, or the nearest caregivers, should be aware that hypothermia is a newborn danger sign, in order to apply best practices regarding neonatal hypothermia prevention to reduce subsequent mortality.
 Objective
 To assess mothers’ knowledge and practice of neonatal hypothermia at a selected provincial hospital in Rwanda.
 Methods
 A cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling method were used to select 161 mothers with living babies. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data.
 Results
 About 97% of mothers had inadequate knowledge, and the majority (83%) had inadequate neonatal hypothermia practices. Predictor variables for knowledge were ANC attendance (OR=1.884, 95% CI=1.675-2.565, p=0.042) and secondary educational level (OR=1.787, 95% CI=1.521-2.187, p=0.032). Practice was significantly associated with educational level (OR=1.787, 95% CI=1.521-2.187, p=0.032). 
 Conclusion
 There is a need to increase a mother's evidence-based practice of neonatal hypothermia. This condition unchecked leads to high-risk life-threatening complications. Prevention should emphasize on observed gaps to decrease deaths related to neonatal hypothermia.
 Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2020;3(2):152-166

Nurses` Knowledge and Practices regarding Hypothermia for Preterm Infants

“…Premature infants loses heat through its skin and respiratory tract to the environment through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation, Fat under the skin acts as an insulator to prevent heat loss; however, the more prematurely an infant is born, the less fat insulation there will be. It`s important to understand the mechanisms of heat loss to block the transfer of heat from infant to the environment (Musabyemariya, et al, 2020).…”