Awareness of Neonatal Danger Signs and Timely Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour in Mothers of 0–12-Month-Old Infants

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal mortality is a critical issue in Indonesia, with a staggering 63% of infant deaths occurring during this period. Early detection of neonatal danger signs is vital in encouraging mothers to seek healthcare services promptly. Further research is necessary to evaluate the level of knowledge among mothers regarding neonatal danger signs and their healthcare-seeking behaviour in primary healthcare facilities within Tangerang District, which has the highest neonatal mortality rate. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge of neonatal danger signs in mothers with infants aged 0-12 months. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-25 and the Pearson Chi-Square test (p < 0.05). Results: Two factors were significantly associated with healthcare-seeking behaviour: knowledge of neonatal danger signs (p=0.000, AOR=13.374, 95% CI) and maternal education (p=0.019, AOR=14.939, 95% CI). Conclusions: Educating mothers of infants about neonatal danger signs increases their likelihood of seeking healthcare for their babies. Health education campaigns and initiatives are crucial to promoting awareness of neonatal health among caregivers.