Neonatal Jaundice Management: Improving Clinical Knowledge of Jaundice for Improved Attitudes and Practices to Enhance Neonatal Care

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice is a common medical condition that affects neonates in the early days of life. Nurses and midwives play important role in the identification and management of neonatal jaundice and the promotion of good neonatal health and education. Their clinical knowledge of neonatal jaundice may influence their attitude and practices toward the identification and management of neonatal jaundice. The study results showed that the level of good knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward neonatal jaundice management was 69.30% (140/202), 64.90% (131/202), and 62.90% (127/202), respectively. The inferential statistics showed a positive association between good knowledge and attitudes toward neonatal jaundice and good practices of neonatal jaundice management. Suggestively, nurses and midwives who have and demonstrate better clinical knowledge and exhibit positive attitudes are more likely to implement appropriate practices for the management of neonatal jaundice. Healthcare providers should therefore invest in life-long learning activities for staff, especially in the study setting.