Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Management Practices Concerning Infantile Colic among Mothers in Thamar, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Infantile colic is a common benign condition during early infancy, characterised by excessive and inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant. Although it is self-limiting, infantile colic can cause significant anxiety, exhaustion, and psychological distress among mothers and caregivers. Maternal awareness and appropriate management practices are important to reduce unnecessary medication use, harmful traditional practices, and parental stress. Objective: This study aimed to assess maternal awareness, knowledge, and management practices regarding infantile colic among mothers attending the Paediatric Department at Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital, Thamar University, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 mothers who had infants aged 1–6 months and attended the paediatric department for consultation, emergency care, or ward services. Data were collected through direct interviews using a structured questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, maternal knowledge, sources of information, beliefs about infantile colic, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management practices. Infantile colic symptoms were assessed according to modified Wessel criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Results: Among the 300 participating mothers, most were aged 21–30 years. Nearly half of the mothers (132 participants) had no previous knowledge about infantile colic. Family and friends were the most common source of information, followed by healthcare providers. A statistically significant relationship was found between maternal age and knowledge about infantile colic. Only 8.7% of infants met all Wessel criteria for infantile colic. Many mothers believed that colic attacks could be affected by maternal diet, lack of warmth, and formula feeding. Commonly used non-pharmacological practices included holding the baby upright during feeding, back massage, swaddling, placing the baby in a quiet room, and changing the mother’s diet during breastfeeding. Regarding pharmacological practices, most mothers reported that they did not give herbs or medications unless advised by a doctor. However, gripe water, simethicone drops, hyoscine drops, and traditional herbal remedies were still reported by some mothers as preferred treatments. Conclusion: The study showed that a considerable proportion of mothers had inadequate knowledge about infantile colic. Maternal age was significantly associated with knowledge level. Although many mothers practiced some appropriate soothing methods, misconceptions and reliance on non-medical sources of information were common. Health education programmemes are needed to improve maternal awareness about the benign and self-limiting nature of infantile colic, its possible causes, warning signs, and safe management practices. Education should be provided during maternal and child health visits, pediatric outpatient consultations, and through community health campaigns.