Assessment of Knowledge, Practices and the Factors affecting the Thermoregulation of the New Born among the Postnatal Mothers Admitted in Selected District Hospital, West Bengal

The investigator conducted a descriptive study on assessment of knowledge, practices and factors affecting thermoregulation of newborn among postnatal mothers admitted in selected district hospital, West Bengal. The objectives of this study was to determine the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding thermoregulation of newborn, to find out the practices on thermoregulation of newborn among postnatal mothers, to identify the factors affecting thermoregulation of newborn and to find out the relationship between knowledge and practices of postnatal mothers regarding thermoregulation. Conceptual framework was based on Health Belief Model. The Nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents. Data were collected through structured interview schedule, three point Likert scale and semi structured interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that 32% postnatal mothers had fair knowledge and 58% postnatal mothers had poor practices regarding thermoregulation. Major factors were identified as lack of skin to skin contact, no supply of lukewarm water and rubbing of vernix caseosa. There was a negative correlation (r= -0.09) between knowledge and practice. Regardless of having satisfactory knowledge of postnatal mothers but their practices for the better outcome of the newborn was poor. Hence these findings provide researcher with new insight to look into why the mothers do not practice their knowledge to have a better outcome of the neonate. This study can be implicated on several areas like nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research. The study has implications in nursing education, nursing practice, nursing administration and nursing research. Based on the findings further studies were recommended. This work will help for understanding of the factors for maintenance of thermoregulation in postnatal ward.