Maternal Knowledge on the Care of Preterm Infants: A Hospital-Based Study

Background: Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, contributing to significant global health challenges. Mothers play a pivotal role in the care of preterm infants, and their knowledge directly influences neonatal outcomes. Objective: To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding care of preterm infants and to determine the association between maternal knowledge and selected sociodemographic variables. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted. The study was conducted in selected hospitals of Panipat. A purposive sample of 60 mothers of preterm infants was recruited. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with descriptive statistics and Chi-square test applied to determine associations. Results: The findings revealed that 28 (47%) mothers had average knowledge, 22 (37%) had poor knowledge, and only 10 (16%) had good knowledge regarding preterm infant care. A significant association was found between educational status of mothers and their knowledge (p < 0.05). Other sociodemographic factors such as age, occupation, residence, income, and type of family showed no significant association. Conclusion: The study highlights that while mothers possess moderate knowledge of preterm care, significant gaps remain, especially regarding infection prevention, nutrition, and umbilical cord care. Structured educational interventions and counseling sessions are recommended to empower mothers for better neonatal outcomes.