KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS NEWBORN CARE BY NURSES IN KITAGATA HOSPITAL, SHEEMA DISTRICT

In Uganda, newborn care remains poor since more than 75% of newborn deaths still results from preventable causes if appropriate newborn care practices are implemented. This study explored the knowledge and practices on newborn care among nurses in Kitagata hospital, Sheema Districts. A cross sectional study design was used to assess 40 nurses who were selected by simple random sampling and assessed by questionnaire, data was analyzed by SPSS and results presented by tables and figures. Results revealed that all 40(100%) nurses had ever heard of new born baby care, 40(100%) to identify preterm babies, 36(90%) had ever got extra training on baby care, 39(97.5%) knew hypothermia as a risk in new born babies while only a few 22(55%) knew that newborn babies are also at risk of hypoglycemia, 40(100%) nurses knew high temperatures as danger sign in newborns. 38(95%) of nurses had ever cared for new born baby during their professional nursing practice where 38(100%) suctioned newborn airway and did not touch newborn baby’s cord with bare hands to avoid infections, , 38(100%) of nurses-maintained warmth by attachment of babies to the mothers’ body, 30(78.9%) of nurses maintained premature glucose levels by maintenance fluids and 30(78.9%) ensured that newborn babies are also immunized yet only very few 2(5.3%) of nurses monitored for danger signs while they carried out newborn baby care. The nurse’s knowledge on newborn care were generally fair and so were their practices.