Unveiling Gaps in Maternal Knowledge of Neonatal Diarrhoea: A Hospital-based Study from Moradabad, India

Abstract Objectives: To assess the levels of maternal knowledge regarding neonatal diarrhoea and to identify factors affecting awareness in mothers attending a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted on 378 mothers selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire for the knowledge of diarrhoea. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The mean maternal knowledge score was 5.65 (standard deviation = 2.02). While 57.67% of mothers had prior experience with oral rehydration salts, a high prevalence of misconceptions was noted specially belief that teething causes diarrhoea (77.51%). Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with nuclear family type (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–3.4, P = 0.013), hospital delivery (AOR: 5.72, 95% CI: 3.34–9.80, P = 0.00) and >4 postnatal care visits (AOR: 10.24, 95% CI: 4.17–21.9, P = 0.00). Conclusion: Maternal knowledge on neonatal diarrhoea depends on residence, number of family members, employment status and healthcare access. Increasing maternal education through health education programmes, in rural areas, is important to reduce neonatal diarrhoea.