@Article{, title={Knowledge and Health‑Seeking Practices of Mothers Attending Primary Health‑Care Centers in Baghdad Al‑Karkh Sector about Danger Signs in Newborns}, author={Hiba Naji Abdulrida and Reem Jameel Hassan and Mary Mohammed Sabri}, journal={Mustansiriya Medical Journal مجلة المستنصرية الطبية}, volume={17}, number={1}, pages={29-35}, year={2018}, abstract={Background: High‑risk neonate defines as one who requires more than the standard monitoring and care offered to a healthy term newborninfant; therefore, early detection of neonatal illness is an important step toward improving newborn survival. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and health‑seeking practices of mothers attending primary health‑care centers about WHO recognized danger signs in newborns. Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was carried out in primary health‑care centers selected conveniently inBaghdad‑Alkarkh district. Participants were 275 mothers of child‑bearing age group selected conveniently; the data were collected during theperiod from March 1 to June 30, 2017. A general questionnaire used for the data collection. Results: About 81% of mothers in study samplelisted three or more of the who recognized danger signs. About 71.7% of mothers tend to seek advice or treatment for the illness outsidethe home. The proportion of good knowledge and health‑seeking practices was higher in (Educated, employee, mothers who had a historyof antenatal care attendance with higher number of visits). There was no relationship between number of children and family support withseeking care outside the home. Mothers who had good knowledge of danger signs of their babies tend to seek care from health facilities morefrequently 75%, and this relation was statistically significant, 61.2% of mothers who perceive illness in newborns delayed seeking advice ortreatment outside the home, 66% not taking newborn to the health facilities because they expect self‑resolution of the illness. There is good knowledge and perception of mothers toward some danger signs such as fever, poor feeding, and jaundice while fair toward others such ascold body, chest indrawing, and signs of local infections. Conclusion: There are good knowledge and perception of mothers about the WHOrecognized danger signs in newborns; however, there is a gap between mothers’ knowledge and their health‑seeking behavior for sick newbornand explored their deep perceptions, constraints, and various treatments.

} }