Unraveling the Interplay between Postnatal Mothers' Expertise in Neonatal Care amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and Media Consumption

Abstract

Abstract Background The arrival of a newborn is a source of joy and optimism, whereas the loss of an infant is a profoundly tragic event for families worldwide. During the initial days of life, infants demand meticulous care, especially during the critical 1- to 28-day period when they are more vulnerable to infections, necessitating heightened protection and security. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mothers and caregivers have become increasingly cautious regarding the care of newborns. This study aims to assess the knowledge level of postnatal mothers regarding neonatal care and their utilization of mass media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods Conducted in a tertiary care setting, this study used a descriptive correlation design with 46 primiparous mothers chosen through purposive sampling. The evaluation of mothers' knowledge about newborn care utilized a self-reported questionnaire, whereas a checklist was used to gauge their use of mass media. Results The study revealed that 60.9% of mothers utilize mass media for more than 6 hours daily. Among the participants, 63% demonstrated adequate knowledge of newborn care, whereas 37% exhibited inadequate knowledge. Additionally, the study indicated a weak negative correlation between mass media usage and postnatal mothers' knowledge of newborn care (r = − 0.034). The type of family (p = 0.023) was significantly associated with postnatal mothers' knowledge (p > 0.05). Conclusions The findings suggest a correlation between mass media usage and postnatal mothers' knowledge of newborn care. However, no discernible relationship was identified between mass media usage and mothers' awareness of neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may indicate that the content disseminated through mass media during the pandemic did not sufficiently emphasize neonatal care, potentially resulting in a limited impact on mothers' awareness in this specific domain.