Neonatal Care Practice and Associated Factors Among Postnatal Mothers Who Have Neonates in Ethiopia, Mixed Study

Abstract Introduction Neonatal care is caring for a newborn during the first 28 days of life from the moment it is born. Ethiopian mini demographic and Health Survey in 2019 revealed that 29 deaths per 1,000 live births with a larger share of (43%) all deaths of under-five mortality. Few studies identified variables associated with neonatal care practices were varied from place to place. However, little is known about the prevalence of neonatal care practice and associated factors in Ethiopia including the study area. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of neonatal care practice and associated factors among postnatal mothers who have neonates in Kombolcha town, 2021. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study supplemented with qualitative inquiry was conducted among 625 postnatal mothers in selected Kebeles of Kombolcha town from March 16 to April 16, 2021. Multistage systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants for quantitative study. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Eighteen participants for qualitative in-depth interview were selected through purposive sampling technique. After checking the completeness of the data, they were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6.0.2 then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 for further analyses. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable of interest. Odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to assess the strength of association. Level of statistical significance was declared at P-value less than 0.05. Qualitative data were transcribed and coded during and after data collection period, then were analyzed manually by using thematic approach. Results Out of the total 606 participants, the prevalence of neonatal care practice was [49.7%, 95%CI: (45.72%, 53.68%)]. On multivariable logistic regression model, number of antenatal care visits [AOR = 3.28; 95%CI (1.40, 7.67)], birth interval of current baby [AOR = 2.56; 95%CI (1.06, 6.16)] and knowledge of mothers towards neonatal care practice [AOR = 8.66; 95%CI (4.83, 15.56)] were significantly associated with neonatal care practice. Conclusion The prevalence of neonatal care practice was relatively low among postnatal mother in Kombolcha town compared to other literatures. Number of antenatal care visits, birth interval of current baby and knowledge of mothers towards neonatal care practice were found be independent predictors. Therefore, findings of this study suggest the need to encourage spaced births interval, strengthen antenatal care follow-up and improve community awareness on neonatal care practices.