PARENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF DANGER SIGNS AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR IN NEWBORN IN HARYANA: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY
Abstract
Abstract: Neonatal mortality rates in Haryana are among the highest in the India. Reducing neonatal infant mortality highly depend on timely recognition of symptoms and suitable care-seeking behavior of parents/care givers. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs and health seeking behavior of parents/care givers in newborn infant illness in Haryana The aim of this study is to indicate the individual and other person who look after the infant awareness (knowledge) responsible of infant mortality in the different districts of Haryana. In this Study 1265 infants and their families were studied during the period of 2016-2018. A basic Questionnaire was developed to find out the factors associated with neonatal mortality. Factors such as community level variables, family level (socio-economic) and biological level (proximate) awearness were added in stepwise process of persions chi square , logistic regression analysis. Analysis was being done according to infants health related danger signs low birth weight, breathing problems high fever jaundice refused to feed and other Care and medical Consultation. Data were compiled using MySql and Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 20.0. After analysis it has been observed that increasing in infant mortality is associated with maternal age less than 25, delay in initiation of treatment, unawareness and constraints of medical practices, lack of immunizations, other social barriers. An emphasis on the interventions discussed at control of the above mentioned variables may prove most helpful in reducing infant mortality in Haryana.