Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Neonatal Jaundice and Associated Factors Among Mothers Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Neonatal jaundice affects nearly 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates during the first week of life. Although physiological jaundice is usually benign, delayed recognition and inappropriate management may progress to severe hyperbilirubinemia, acute bilirubin encephalopathy, and kernicterus, causing irreversible neurological damage or death. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are central to early recognition and timely care-seeking, yet awareness among Pakistani mothers remains poorly characterized. Objective: To assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding neonatal jaundice and to identify associated socio-demographic and healthcare-related factors among mothers attending a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 mothers of neonates admitted to the neonatal and pediatric units of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practice domains (Cronbach's α = 0.802; Scale-Level Content Validity Index = 0.958). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 24 using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (p<0.05 considered significant). Results: The valid response rate was 96.4%. Good knowledge of neonatal jaundice was demonstrated by 46.4% of mothers, and only 41.7% actively sought information about the condition. Postgraduate maternal education (OR = 5.977; 95% CI: 1.994–17.916), previous education regarding neonatal jaundice (OR = 3.617; 95% CI: 1.637–7.993), and having a male infant (OR = 1.714; 95% CI: 1.122–2.617) were significantly associated with good knowledge. Positive maternal attitudes were associated with postpartum support from a trained maternity attendant (OR = 1.969; 95% CI: 1.264–3.066) and good knowledge (OR = 1.804; 95% CI: 1.194–2.726). Appropriate maternal practices were significantly associated with previous education (OR = 2.260; 95% CI: 1.105–4.625) and good knowledge (OR = 3.112; 95% CI: 2.040–4.749). Conclusion: Maternal knowledge regarding neonatal jaundice remains inadequate among many mothers attending tertiary healthcare facilities. Educational attainment and previous health education significantly shape maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Strengthening antenatal counselling, postnatal education, and community-based awareness programs is recommended to improve early recognition and timely healthcare-seeking behavior, thereby reducing preventable neonatal morbidity.