Objectives: To assess the general and practical knowledge regarding neonatal jaundice among caregivers of infants treated for indirect hyperbilirubinemia at the Neonatal Department of Children’s Hospital No.2.
Method: Descriptive case series.
Results: A total of 75 family caregivers participated in the study. Participants aged ≥ 25 years accounted for 84%. Overall, 80% had heard of and were aware of neonatal jaundice. The proportions of caregivers with good or fair levels of overall knowledge, knowledge on recognition, and management of neonatal jaundice were 77,4%, while 61,3% demonstrated good practical knowledge. The proportion of caregivers who knew that neonatal jaundice can be severe was 78,7%; 85,3% recognized the need for early detection for timely treatment; 74,7% were aware that treatment involves hospital-based phototherapy; and 53,3% identified the brain as the primary organ affected by severe neonatal jaundice. However, several knowledge gaps remained: 54,7% were unaware that observing the infant under sufficiently bright natural light is necessary for detecting jaundice; 30,7% did not know about the potentially serious complications; and 49,3% believed that neonatal jaundice can be prevented by exposing infants to morning sunlight.
Conclusion: Guidance on the care, monitoring, detection, and management of neonatal jaundice should be provided to mothers and their family members, particularly at obstetric hospitals, before discharge.