1.1 Introduction
Jaundice is the most common condition in infants, requiring medical attention and hospital readmission (Olusanya et al., 2015). Neonatal jaundice is common in neonatal period due to the adaptation of bilirubin metabolism occurring during this time (Sgro et al., 2006). The practitioners in developing countries still encounter kernicterus frequently, whereas it has been described as a re-curring disease in most developed countries. The reoccurrence of kernicterus may have different causes such as poor adherence to universal guidelines on jaundice management, early discharge of infants from hospital before jaundice could be detected, an increase in breastfeeding practices, poor knowledge of the early signs of bilirubin encephalopathy and the lack of parental information about the dangers of neonatal jaundice (Ebbesen, 2000 and Hansen, 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Jaundice is usually noticed during the first 3–5 days of life and may lead to kernicterus or even death. On the other hand, mothers and their newborns are commonly discharged within 48 hours after vaginal delivery or 96 hours after cesarean delivery (Bernstein et al., 2007) as a result of cost containment policies implemented by care management companies. Infants with high blood levels of bilirubin, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia, develop the yellow color when bilirubin accumulates on the skin. Severe hyperbilirubinemia can be toxic to the infant’s nervous system, which may cause acute reversible brain damage called bilirubin encephalopathy or permanent brain damage called kernicterus (Dharel et al., 2018).
Since mothers are the primary care giver for the infants in most societies, their perception of understanding and dealing with neonatal jaundice would significantly affect the disease’s outcome. This would, in turn, help healthcare providers in making proper treatment decisions for the infant, and more importantly, in counseling the mother and her family. Mothers’ perception regarding the diagnosis, severity, causes, and treatment of jaundice in their infants mostly reflects their own misconceptions about this common neonatal condition. Apparently, their experiences in providing care for children with jaundice in the neonatal period, as well as the influence of the society and their families form their perceptions about neonatal jaundice (Dharel et al., 2018).
The implementation of some home-based traditional care practices might reduce the mortality rate in infants, as a result of decreasing the risks of infection and hypothermia (Sacks et al., 2015).
In regard with the management of neonatal jaundice, the results demonstrate health education prior to childbirth significantly improved the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice by first-time mothers. Most mothers chose to consult with a pediatrician as soon as the jaundice was detected, while many mothers in the control group sought other approaches such as stopping breast-feeding, putting infants under sunlight, practicing traditional Chinese medicine, or even waiting until neonatal jaundice becomes clearer. Thus, antenatal health education needs to focus more on the knowledge of biliary atresia, and infants with jaundice need to be closely monitored and require immediate medical attention. In addition, there are some limitations in this study (Zhang et al., 2015). Many cases of neonatal jaundice pass unnoticed or are not timely identified by mothers who take their infants to hospitals late (Rodrigo et al., 2011 and Khalesi et al., 2008).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problems of the research work, which entails that; since mothers and their infants are discharged early, the importance of their ability to recognize neonatal jaundice increases. In Sri Lanka, there is little data on the mothers’ level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding neonatal jaundice (Rodrigo et al., 2011). A major problem with the traditional care for jaundice is the fact that following bilirubin levels is more difficult. It is recommended to closely monitor bilirubin levels in all jaundiced infants while being bottle-fed and hospitalized in the nursery for several days. Bilirubin levels were lower and usually peaked while the baby was still in the hospital, making the recognition and follow-up of jaundice a relatively simple matter (Madlon-Kay, 1997).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the factors influencing the Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital in Enugu State.
- To determine the socio-economic impact of Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital in Enugu State
- To assess the level of knowledge about Jaundice in babies among mothers in Enugu State
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are mothers in Enugu State aware about Jaundice in babies?
- What are the factors influencing the Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital in Enugu State?
- What are the socio-economic impact of Jaundice in Babies in Mother and Child Health Hospital in Enugu State?
