Knowledge and Determinants of Neonatal Danger Signs among Male Partners in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Male partners play a critical role in maternal and neonatal healthcare, with their involvement increasingly recognized as essential for improving health outcomes. Most causes of neonatal mortality are preventable; therefore, early recognition of neonatal danger signs is vital. This study assessed the knowledge of neonatal danger signs and associated factors among male partners in Nnewi, Anambra State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 male partners selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a pretested, interviewer-administered, and validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ characteristics, while chi-square tests assessed associations between independent variables and knowledge of neonatal danger signs. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. The majority of respondents (54.0%) were between 35 and 49 years old. Most of the respondents (89.5%) were married, had secondary school education (46%), were of Igbo origin (95.5%), Christians (92.4%), from urban regions (80.5%), with a monthly income of between 50,000 and 99,000 Naira (39.3%). The majority of the respondents (82.8%) have heard of neonatal danger signs, with vomiting (41.5%) and seizure (28.8%) being the major neonatal danger signs reported. The major perceived intervention by the respondent was to run to the hospital with the baby (53.1%). The major sources of information on neonatal danger signs were health professionals (28.4%) and friends (22.7%). The proportion of respondents with low knowledge of neonatal danger signs was significantly higher (69.5%) than those with moderate (23.7%) or high (6.8%) levels of knowledge (χ2: 223.53; P: 0.001). The most common factors associated with knowledge of neonatal danger signs were illiteracy (education), having the first baby, and unemployment. The majority of the respondents (93.5%) think that fathers should be more involved in newborn care and health-seeking behaviours. More than three-quarters (85.9%) of the respondents were interested in receiving more information about neonatal danger signs. The factors that were significantly associated with knowledge of neonatal danger signs were level of education, age of father, unemployment, and health professionals as the source of information. Knowledge of neonatal danger signs among male partners remains suboptimal. Strengthening policy frameworks to promote male involvement in maternal and neonatal health, alongside community-based education initiatives, is critical for reducing preventable neonatal mortality.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Augustine Ugochukwu Nwankwo, Dr. Princess Chinenye Onuorah, Dr. Onyinye Diana Ezidiegwu, Dr. Stella Ngozi Okereke, Dr. Nnaemeka Emmanuel Akubue , Dr. Gibson Ifechukwude Chiejine, Dr. Duluora Nneka Chidimma, Dr. Mark Imhonikhe Ogbiti, Dr. Chima Paschal Igbokwe, Dr. Chibuzor Samuel Atuchukwu, Dr. Chioma Chetachukwu Ajator, Adinma Echendu Dolly (Author)
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