Effectiveness of structured educational program on knowledge regarding newborn care among primi mothers attending in antenatal care outpatient department of a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The neonatal period is a critical phase for extrauterine adjustment. Mothers are the primary caregivers and are often the first to recognize minor changes in the health status of the newborn. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured educational program on knowledge regarding newborn care among primi mothers.

Method: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test study was conducted among 49 primi mothers attending the Antenatal Care (ANC) Outpatient Department (OPD) of Patan Hospital. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured interview schedule. A self-developed questionnaire was used to assess knowledge regarding newborn care. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were applied for inferential analysis.

Result: In the pre-test, the majority of participants had moderate knowledge (71.43%), followed by inadequate knowledge (26.53%) and adequate knowledge (2.04%). In the post-test, most participants (95.92%) demonstrated adequate knowledge, while 4.08% remained in the moderate category and none had inadequate knowledge. The post-test mean knowledge score (25.96 ± 1.76) was higher than the pre-test mean score (16.42 ± 3.31). A statistically significant difference was observed between pre-test and post-test knowledge scores following the educational intervention.

Conclusion: The structured educational program was effective in improving the knowledge of primi mothers regarding newborn care. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating continuous educational programs during ANC visits to enhance maternal knowledge and promote appropriate newborn care practices.