ABSTRACT

Christian R. Angeles, Aiden B. Bigueras, Ma. Mercedes B. Rivera, Jude Michael C. Uy “MATERNAL PRACTICES ON THE PREVENTION OF NEONATAL INFECTIONS IN PIGCALE, LEGAZPI CITY” (Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 2009-2010)

This study aimed to discover the maternal practices on the prevention of neonatal infection in Barangay Pigcale, Legazpi City. Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions: 1.) What are the characteristics of the respondents in terms of: a.) Age, b.) Educational Attainment, c.) Monthly Income, d.) Work Status; 2.) What are the practices of the respondents on the prevention of neonatal infection along with disease prevention, asepsis and nutrition; 3.) What are the influences of the selected characteristics on maternal practices; 4.0 What are the problems encountered in the prevention of neonatal infections; and 5.) What nursing interventions can be recommended to enhance the maternal practices on the prevention of neonatal infections.

In this study, the researchers used the descriptive evaluate design and action research design to specifically study the problem. This helped the concerned individuals as well as the society to understand the findings of the study based on the researchers experiences, decisions, action plans, and conclusions. This design provided easy and essential explanation throughout the study and provided information regarding the awareness of the concerned people in the situation as well as initial actions of the specific population during the possible incident.

This study utilized the descriptive type of research using the questionnaire checklist as the main instrument in data gathering. Frequency count, percentage, and mean were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study were the following: (1) Nine (9) respondents or 12.68% were from 15-20 years old and another nine (9) were from 36-40 years of age. The respondents were made to identify the practices on how they prevent neonatal infection. This was classified into two namely: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Maternal Practices on the Prevention of Neonatal Infection in terms of health promotion. It was noticeable that all indicators got an overall weighted mean of 4.2. Hand washing before and after handling the baby got the highest mean 4.7 while ironing the babies' clothes got the lowest rating of 2.5 mean. Along the maternal practices on the prevention of neonatal infection in terms of disease prevention, it was noticeable that all indicators got an average weighted mean of 4.0. Submitting child for immunization got the highest mean of 4.9 while consulting herbolarios got the lowest mean of 3.0. In terms of problems encountered by all mothers in the said barangay in the prevention of neonatal infection, it is perceptible that all of the indicators got an overall weighted mean of 3.6. Financial shortage got the highest mean of 4.0 while unhealthy lifestyle got the lowest rating of 2.9 mean.

With the above findings and conclusion, the researchers recommend the following: the barangay officials should work in partnership with the government and the Department of Health to provide livelihood programs for the mothers so that they could have an extra income to provide the need of their children and also for the mothers to be aware and knowledgeable about the maternal practices on the prevention of neonatal infection and risk of any illnesses or disease. As the researchers and nursing students, it is also possible to conduct talks and seminars regarding maternal practices, give pamphlets and flyers, Also, advice mothers to use alternative ways to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent disease and also enhance the accessibility and quality of health care in Barangay Pigcale, Legazpi City.