The Traditional Practices of Mothers in Caring of Neonates Affected by Hyperbilirubinemia

Objectives: The current study aimed to identify the mothers’ traditional practice in caring for newborns with jaundice; we want to determine the association between mothers’ practices and their demographic characteristics.  Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۱۰۰ mothers from inpatient pediatric wards of Babylon Teaching Hospital for maternal and pediatric care. They were selected by non-probability, purposive sampling method. The study data were collected by a three-part tool: demographic data sheet related to mothers and children, mothers’ knowledge concerning neonatal jaundice, and the mother’s knowledge and home practices concerning neonatal jaundice. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS version ۲۲. Results: Most mothers (۶۷%) were younger than ۳۰ years, and ۱۰% had college or institute educational level. Also, ۸۷% of mothers knew that jaundice is a common problem for neonates; ۲۵% did not know that jaundice is abnormal if it occurs within the first ۳۶ hours. About ۱۷% of mothers did not agree that maternal and fetal blood group differences lead to jaundice. Besides, ۴۷% of mothers were uncertain that severe jaundice could lead to deafness, and ۷۸% knew that phototherapy is the treatment for jaundice. Discussion: The majority of respondents in the study were aged ۲۹ years or less. Most of them adopted breast and formula as the type of feeding. The most recognizable outcome of this study was the adequate knowledge and practices of mothers concerning traditional caring for neonates with jaundice.