Abstract:
Background: Globally, in 2019 there were an estimated 2.4 million neonatal death, which represents
44% of all under five children. Most of the death happens at home, where that lack of early
recognition of the danger signs and poor decision-making and treatment–seeking practices among
mothers (caretakers) are significant contributors. Since the available studies were conducted in
urban areas or at an institution level, which do not address the rural community, where knowledge
of neonatal danger signs is relatively low and mothers have home delivery.
Objective: To assess knowledge and health seeking behavior on neonatal danger signs and its
associated factors among mothers who have children less than one-year age in Meta Robi District,
West Shewa Zone, Ethiopa, 2025.
Methods and Materials: Community-based cross-sectional study designs supplemented with
qualitative methods were conducted among 466 mothers who had children less than one-year age
from January 1 to 30, 2025. Stratified multistage sampling technique and purposive sampling method
used for quantitative and qualitative method respectively. Data were pre-tested and structured
questionnaire and observation checklists collected data. Descriptive, bi-variable and multivariable
logistic regressions analyses were done for statistical significance and adjusted odds ratios with 95%
CI and PV<0.05 were used to measure strength of association and declare the level of statistical
significance. Thematic qualitative data analysis was also used.
Results: Mothers who had adequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs were found to be
208(44.6%) with 95% CI (39.9-49) and overall having health seeking behavior of mother/caregivers
towards neonatal danger signs were 334(71.7%) with 95% CI (67.7-75.8) respectively.
The urban resident [AOR=2.01 (95% CI :1.09,3.68)], and place of delivery (health institution)
[AOR=2.79(95% CI: 1.02,7.63)] were significantly associated with mothers knowledge of neonatal
danger signs and mothers/caregivers adequate knowledge [AOR=2.47(95% CI :1.56,3.94)] and
distance less 5km from health facility [AOR=2.02(95% CI: 1.16,3.51) were significantly associated
with mothers having health seeking behavior neonatal danger sign .
Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of maternal adequate knowledge and health
seeking behavior were low in the area. Mothers/care givers resided in urban and mothers who give
birth at health facility were significantly associated with adequate knowledge of neonatal danger
signs. Mothers /caregivers adequate knowledge and participants distance less 5km from health
facility were significantly associated with have health seeking behavior.
