Mothers' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Neonatal Jaundice in Ajdabiya City, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study
Keywords:
Neonatal jaundice, maternal knowledge, practices, education level, LibyaAbstract
Background: Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common conditions affecting newborns worldwide and remains a significant cause of neonatal morbidity when not properly recognized or managed.
Objective: To assess mothers' knowledge and practices regarding neonatal jaundice and to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness and practice levels
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a three-month period (October–December 2025) in Ajdabiya City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 499 mothers attending Mohammed Al-Muqrief Hospital, Al-Zaytouna Clinic, and Ajdabiya Martyrs Center. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were applied.
Results: The majority of mothers were aged 20–40 years (64.7%). Higher educational level was significantly associated with higher awareness levels (p<0.05). Although 37.9% of mothers demonstrated high practice levels, a considerable proportion still exhibited low knowledge and unsafe practices.
Conclusion: Mothers' knowledge and practices regarding neonatal jaundice were suboptimal, particularly among those with lower educational levels. Targeted health education programs are strongly recommended.
References
Dennery, P. A., Seidman, D. S., & Stevenson, D. K. (2001). Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 344(8), 581-590.
Maisels, M. J., & McDonagh, A. F. (2008). Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(9), 920-928
Ogunlesi, T. A., Dedeke, I. O., & Adekanmbi, A. F. (2014). Maternal knowledge and care-seeking behaviors for neonatal jaundice in Nigeria. BMC Pediatrics, 14, 192.
Olusanya, B. O., Kaplan, M., & Hansen, T. W. (2017). Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A global perspective. Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 1(3), 184-196.
Salia, S. M., et al. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers on neonatal jaundice. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 24(6), 315-320
Maternal knowledge and care-seeking behaviors for neonatal jaundice in Nigeria. BMC Pediatrics, 14, 192. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-192
Salia, S. M., Afaya, A., Wuni, A., et al. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers regarding neonatal jaundice in Ghana. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 24(6), 315-320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2018.05.004
Endale, Y., Aynalem, Y. A., & Gebrehiwot, M. (2020). Maternal knowledge and associated factors regarding neonatal jaundice in Ethiopia. BMC Pediatrics, 20, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-1931-3
Olusanya, B. O., Kaplan, M., & Hansen, T. W. R. (2017). Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A global perspective. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 1(3), 184-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30051-8
Onyearugha, C. N., Onyire, B. N., & Ugboma, H. A. A. (2016). Neonatal jaundice: Knowledge and practices of mothers in South-East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 19(6), 734-739. https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.181388
Adebami, O. J. (2015). Factors associated with neonatal jaundice in developing countries. Journal of Neonatal Biology, 4(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0897.1000185
Goodman, D., et al. (2019). Maternal knowledge and early recognition of neonatal jaundice in high-income settings. Pediatrics, 144(2), e20183470. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-3470
Maisels, M. J., & McDonagh, A. F. (2008). Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(9), 920-928. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMct0708376
Kaplan, M., Hammerman, C., & Bhutani, V. K. (2018). Prevention of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 23(1), 27-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.siny.2017.09.001
Bhutani, V. K., Johnson, L., & Sivieri, E. M. (2013). Predictive ability of a predischarge bilirubin nomogram. Pediatrics, 131(6), e1913-e1921. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-4015
