ArticleBMC public health2014
Recognition and home care of low birth weight neonates: a qualitative study of knowledge, beliefs and practices of mothers in Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Uganda.
Article in BMC public health, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Guideline
- "I have to be strong": A qualitative study of parental bereavement experiences in Uganda following the death of their baby.Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives · 2025Article
- Impact of a nurse-led empowerment programme on home-based care for preterm infants: A quantitative study.Bioinformation · 2025Article
- Facilitators, barriers, and key influencers of breastfeeding among low birthweight infants: a qualitative study in India, Malawi, and Tanzania.International breastfeeding journal · 2023Article
- Relationship between low birth weight and infant mortality: evidence from National Family Health Survey 2019-21, India.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2023Article
- Qualitative assessment of family caregiver-centered neonatal education program in Karnataka, India.PLOS global public health · 2023Article
- Understanding Perceptions and Practices for Designing an Appropriate Community-Based Kangaroo Mother Care Implementation Package: Qualitative Exploratory Study.JMIR formative research · 2022Article
- Article
- Article
- A cohort study of low birth weight and health outcomes in the first year of life, Ghana.Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2017Article
- Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.Clinical medicine insights. Pediatrics · 2017Article
- Understanding the challenges to caring for low birthweight babies in rural southern Malawi: a qualitative study exploring caregiver and health worker perceptions and experiences.BMJ global health · 2017Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundNeonatal mortality has remained persistently high worldwide. In Uganda, neonatal deaths account for 50% of all infant deaths. Low birth weight is associated with a higher risk of death during the neonatal period. Failure to recognize low birth weight and inappropriate home care practices increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in this high risk group. This study explored mothers' knowledge, beliefs and practices in recognising and providing home care for low birth weight babies.
methodsThe study was carried out in Eastern Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen mothers of small babies who delivered in health facilities (10) or at home (6) two months prior to the study. Interviews were conducted in mothers' homes using the local language. Interviewer notes and audio recordings were transcribed and translated to English. Content analysis was done using Atlas-ti software.
resultsRecognition of low birth weight by mothers when a baby is not weighed was difficult. Mothers were aware of the causes of low birth weight though some mothers believed in the influence of supernatural powers. Mothers who delivered in hospital had better knowledge of appropriate home care practices for low birth weight babies compared to mothers who delivered at home or in a lower level health facility. Practices related to cord care and keeping the baby warm were good while poor practices were noted concerning initiation and exclusive breast feeding, and bathing the baby. Low birth weight was not appreciated as a danger sign in newborns and therefore mothers did not seek health care. Some mothers who initiated good care practices for low birth weight newborns in the facilities did not sustain them at home.
conclusionsRecognition of low birth weight is still poor. This leads to inappropriate home care practices for these high risk newborns. Mothers' knowledge and care practices can be improved through health education, and this should be extended to the community to reach mothers that deliver at home. Mechanisms to support mothers to sustain good practices should be put in place by taking advantage of existing village health teams and social support.
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